Morales Shines Bright as Big Sky’s Player of the Week in Women’s Basketball!

For the second occasion this season, Montana State senior star Esmeralda Morales has been recognized as the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.

Morales, a 5-5 guard hailing from Spanaway, Wash., achieved her first 30-point performance of the season during the team’s most significant matchup thus far, as the Bobcats triumphed over Northern Arizona in Flagstaff—a showdown featuring the only two undefeated teams in the Big Sky.

“Esme had a phenomenal game,” stated MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “She possesses an excellent instinct for knowing when to take control and when to involve her teammates. She managed to score in various ways, significantly pressuring the rival.”

During the game, she finished 9-of-17 shooting from the floor, 4-of-9 from behind the arc, and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Furthermore, Morales contributed five assists, five rebounds, and three steals in just over 35 minutes on the court.

Over the weekend, she recorded an average of 22.5 points per game, along with 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 53.8% from the field, 42.9% from three-point territory, and 78.6% at the charity stripe.

 

Other Nominations for Big Sky Women’s Basketball Player of the Week

Kourtney Grossman (EWU), Olivia Nelson (UI), Sophie Glancey (NAU), London Gamble (UNC), Alaya Fitzgerald (PSU), Jaydia Martin (SAC), Taylor Smith (WSU)