INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Ryan Turell of Yeshiva University (New York, N.Y.) and Hanna Geistfeld of Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending December 12.
Turell, a 6-7 senior guard from Los Angeles, Calif., earns the honor for the second time this season. The NCAA Division III leader in total points (376) and field goals made (142) for top-ranked (D3hoops.com) Yeshiva (13-0), led the Macabees to a 3-0 week. Turell totaled 35 points (12-of-21 FG, 5-of-7 FT, 6-of-13 3FG), nine rebounds, three assists, and four steals in a 94-48 win at Brooklyn on Monday. In an 85-76 victory over Washington College on Thursday, he scored 25 points (8-of-14 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 5-of-8 3FG) and added five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Turell capped off the week with 38 points (14-of-21 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 6-of-10 3FG), six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in Yeshiva's 104-59 thrashing of Medgar Evers. Over the three games, he averaged 32.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks while shooting 60.7 percent (34-of-56) from the field, 76.4 percent (13-of-17) from the foul line and 54.8 percent (17-of-31) from three-point range. For his efforts, Turell was also named Skyline Conference Player of the Week.
Geistfeld, a 6-0 senior forward from Truman, Minn., recorded three double-doubles in leading Bethany Lutheran (7-2, 2-0) to three road victories last week. In the Vikings' 63-61 win over then-No. 3 (D3hoops.com) UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday, Geistfeld scored 18 points (4-of-10 FG, 10-of-12 FT), including the game-winning free throws with eight seconds remaining. She added 15 rebounds and four assists in the contest. In a 68-52 victory over UW-Superior on Friday, Geistfeld totaled 26 points (10-of-20 FG, 6-of-6 FT), 18 rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Then, on Saturday, she finished with 26 points (9-of-14 FG, 8-of-11 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in an 87-38 beat-down of Northland. For the week, Geistfeld averaged 23.3 points, 16.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 52.3 percent (23-of-44) from the field and 82.8 percent (24-of-29) from the foul line. For her efforts, Geistfeld was also named Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. The program has resumed after a one-season hiatus and this is the seventh season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.