Lieber Named Player of the Week (1/23/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings forward Michelle Lieber has been named the Heartland Conference player of the week for the week of January 15-21.  It is the third time this season that the Gillette, Wyo., senior has received the award.  Lieber, the reigning Heartland player of the year, has led the Yellowjackets to a 14-4 overall record and a 3-1 league mark.

Lieber continues to be the beacon of consistency for the Yellowjackets, assisting her team to a 2-0 record for the week.  In Monday’s 88-62 road win over Texas–Permian Basin, Lieber’s near perfect shooting netted her 20 points.  She shot 8-of-10 from the field and was 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.  Lieber pulled down six boards in the game and handed out four assists. 

The Lady Jackets returned home to cruise to a 73-47 win Saturday over Heartland Conference opponent Lincoln University.  Lieber netted 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field and recorded the Jackets’ only points from the free throw line, going 6-of-7.  She had nine rebounds in the game and blocked a career-high four shots. 

For the week Lieber missed just three shots total and was a sizzling 85.7 percent from the field.  She was 10-of-11 from the line for 91 percent.  Lieber averaged 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocked shots per game for the week.

The Yellowjackets will defend their position atop the league standings with two conference games at home this week against teams tied for second place in the HLC.  They host defending conference champion St. Mary’s University (6-11, 2-1) on Wednesday and University of the Incarnate Word (8-9, 2-1) on Saturday.  MSUB and UIW will also play a non-conference game on Sunday.  All three games tip off at 5:30 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym and will be aired on AM 970 in Billings and on the web at www.msubillings.edu/athletics.