HCAC Selects Tietje as Women's Basketball Player of the Week

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The accolades continue to roll in for Defiance College's Kelsey Tietje, as she was chosen as the player of the week for the Heartland Conference. This honor comes after Tietje's all-tournament team selection from her play at Baldwin-Wallace over the weekend. [HCAC Release]

On Wednesday, November 20, Tietje (Deshler, Ohio/Patrick Henry) opened up her career with 24 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal in the season-opening 78-65 win over the Alma Scots.

The freshman was crucial in the victory, as she went 5-of-5 from the field (13 points) with five boards and a block in the final 12 minutes of the contest. The Purple and Gold had been down 47-52, before it outscored Alma 31-13 to end the game.

Tietje then continued her torrid run this weekend at the B-W Tournament. Against a tough Yellow Jackets team hosting the event, the Deshler, Ohio native notched a second-straight double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Tietje then concluded her first week of collegiate basketball scoring 23, grabbing 10 boards, along with a block and a steal in Saturday's loss to the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan.

The dominating post player is the first Yellow Jacket to notch at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in her first three career games. What might be even more impressive is the efficiency in which Tietje has played.

After the three contests, Tietje is averaging 24 points, 10.3 rebounds and one block and a steal. Her marks are coming on only 23.6 minutes a game, while shooting a blazing 61.9 percent clip from the field.

Tietje's HCAC player of the week honor is the first since Kim Comden was chosen for the week of January 28 through February 3 of last season.

Defiance will play next on Saturday, November 30 when it travels to Indiana to take on the St. Mary's Belles. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.