PORTLAND, Ore. – Following an impressive week of play in which she helped the Montana State University Billings women's basketball team go 2-0 on home court, Aspen Giese was recognized with GNAC Player of the Week honors, as announced by the conference Monday.
 
"I was excited to hear Aspen was chosen as GNAC Player of the Week as she is very deserving of this honor," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "Aspen is a tremendous student-athlete and leader in our program and has put in the extra work needed to improve on and off the court. Our team has played a challenging schedule so far, and with our balanced attack, it is very hard to stand out individually. Aspen simply is the type of player and person you want to surround yourself with."
 
A senior from Fort Benton, Montana, Giese played a crucial role in both of MSUB's victories last Friday and Saturday at the Yellowjacket Classic, finishing as the leading or tied leading scorer in both contests. She opened the week with a season-high 19 points in the Yellowjackets 77-60 win over Chadron State, where Giese shot 7-14 from the field, and 3-7 from three-point range. She also added six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Giese then followed that performance up with a double-double in the 'Jackets runaway 85-54 win against Colorado School of Mines, her second of both this season and her career. Giese scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Orediggers, again making a trio of three pointers, while also finishing with four steals, a block, and an assist. Over MSUB's two games, Giese averaged 16 points across both of MSUB's games this week, along with 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. She was also honored with Co-MVP honors from the weekend crossover hosted at Alterowitz Gym.
 
It marks the first career conference player of the week nod for Giese, who has been an important part of the Yellowjackets (6-1) early success to begin the season. The senior has spent more time on the court than any other MSUB player this season, averaging 32.1 minutes per game. Giese is leading the 'Jackets in scoring this season with 13.7 points per game so far this year, shooting 42.0% from the field, 37.0% from three, and 84.6% from the free throw line. She
 
Giese and the Yellowjackets open their slate of games for the week on Wednesday with the 'Jackets first Rimrock Rivalry matchup of the season against Rocky Mountain College, before finishing the week with a game on Saturday against Minot State University. Live coverage of all MSUB women's basketball games can be found online here.