IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa junior Megan Gustafson has been named Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. It is the seventh weekly honor of Gustafson’s career.
Gustafson averaged 25.5 points and 16.0 rebounds and shot 67.7 percent from the field in a pair of season-opening wins over Quinnipiac and Western Kentucky last weekend. The 2017 Hawkeye Challenge Most Valuable Player netted 16 points (7-of-9) and pulled down a team-leading 15 rebounds in Iowa’s 83-67 win over Quinnipiac on Nov. 10. Gustafson scored five points and registered seven of her 15 rebounds in the fourth quarter to lead Iowa to a come-from-behind victory against the Bobcats.
The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native followed Friday’s performance with a career day Saturday. Gustafson netted a career-best 35 points, led the team with 17 rebounds (7 offensive, 10 defensive), and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Gustafson scored 18 points and registered eight rebounds in the fourth quarter and overtime period to bring Iowa back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit against the Hilltoppers. She recorded six of Iowa’s 11 overtime points and added three blocks in the extra period to secure the 104-97 win.
Gustafson also surpassed the 1,000 career points milestone Saturday. She is the 35th Hawkeye in program history to accomplish the feat.
Gustafson and the Hawkeyes return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 15, hosting Northern Illinois. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for youth (18 & younger) and UI students.