INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Levi Borchert of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Oshkosh, Wis.) 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 January 23.
Borchert, a 6-5 junior forward from Kimberly, Wis., helped lead UW-Oshkosh (15-2, 5-1) to a pair of conference victories last week. On Wednesday, the No. 4 (D3hoops.com) Titans dropped then-No. 2 UW-Platteville from the ranks of the unbeaten with an 83-67 road victory. Borchert scored 23 points (7-of-15, 9-of-14 FT), grabbed nine rebounds and added two assists in the contest. Then, in an 89-84 victory over UW-River Falls on Saturday, he scored a career-high 32 points (14-of-20 FG, 4-of-7 FT) and collected 15 rebounds. With his team ahead just 66-64 with 10 minutes to play, Borchert scored seven points in the Titans’ ensuing, game-deciding 13-0 run. Over the two games, he averaged 27.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 0.5 steals while shooting 60 percent (21-of-35) from the field and 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from the foul line. For his efforts, Borchert was also named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Week.
Geistfeld, a 6-0 senior forward from Truman, Minn., wins the award for the second time this season. The NCAA Division III leader in points (430), rebounds (222), field goals (157), and free throws (111) led Bethany Lutheran (11-6, 6-0) to a pair of road victories last week. Against Minnesota Morris on Friday, Geistfeld played all 40 minutes and finished with 38 points (13-of-16 FG, 12-of 14 FT) 19 rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the Vikings’ 73-60 victory. Then, on Saturday, she scored 32 points (13-of-25 FG, 6-of-7 FT), grabbed 18 rebounds and added five assists. Currently second in the nation with 12 double-doubles and third in scoring (25.3 ppg), Geistfeld has now set the program record for most games played (111). Over the two games last week, she averaged 35.0 points, 18.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.5 steals while shooting 63.4 percent (26-of-41) from the field and 85.7 percent (18-of-21) from the foul line. For her efforts, Geistfeld was also named Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Player of the Week and has become the first player in the UMAC’s DIII history to exceed 2,000 points (2,018).
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.