IRVINE, Calif. – For the first time in her college career, Concordia sophomore
Genesis Hopkins is the PacWest Conference Defender of the Week.
The young forward averaged an impressive 11.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.7 steals in Concordia's three games last week.
Hopkins controlled the paint in Concordia's huge upset win over Vanguard last Thursday, collecting a career-high 14 rebounds while also blocking a personal best five shots. That came just three days after
she tallied the first double-double of her career against Menlo with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The talented forward added a double-double with
15 points and 13 rebounds against Point Loma on Saturday. That outing included a pair of steals and two more blocks as well.
She has collected at least two or more block in 10 straight games and has started all 13 contests in her first season with the Green and Gold.
"Genesis is growth-minded and intensely competitive, and that mindset has really set her up for a breakout season," explained CUI women's basketball head coach
Christine Collins-Kiernan. "Every single day she comes into the gym looking for ways to grow on both sides of the ball. She's a versatile defender with a great motor and the ability to guard multiple positions. She takes a lot of pride in protecting the paint, finishing plays, and going to get rebounds, and she controls what she can control."
Against first-place Vanguard, Hopkins and her teammates held the Lions to only 49 points. That's the least amount of points that Concordia has allowed this season and was a big reason why
the Golden Eagles handed the Lions their first loss in PacWest play.
In fact, CUI has held three different teams to 53 points or less this year - Vanguard, Seattle Pacific and Azusa Pacific.
"A lot of the success we've had early this season has been built around her evolution and growth as a defender and rebounder," added Collins-Kiernan. This was a goal of hers, and in a program where we set goals and work relentlessly to achieve them, we couldn't be happier for her to check this one off her list."
CUI heads on the road for a pair of road trips these next two weeks before returning home on Thursday, Jan 29 against Jessup.
The task at hand this week is a visit to Fresno Pacific on Thursday, Jan 15 before paying the Warriors a visit on Saturday up in Rocklin.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule
