NORFOLK, Va. – Sophomore Rachel Gordon of the Norfolk State women's basketball team was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon, as announced by the conference office.

Gordon averaged 14.0 rebounds in two games last week, including a 21-rebound effort last Monday against Coppin State at home. Her career-best performance tied NSU's Division I record for boards in a game and came on the heels of a 19-rebound effort the previous contest.

In addition, Gordon scored 9.0 points per game on 7-of-10 shooting and also tallied two assists, two steals and one block in NSU's two games last week, a 61-58 loss to Coppin State and an 84-66 win at Delaware State on Saturday.

Against Coppin State, Gordon posted her sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 21 boards. Gordon hit 4-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-3 from the free throw line with one steal. Then, against the Hornets on Saturday, Gordon helped NSU end an 11-game losing streak to DSU with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting with seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.

Gordon currently ranks first in the MEAC and 20th in the nation in rebounding at 10.2 boards per game to go along with 8.9 points and a team-leading 22 blocks.

Her 40-rebound effort on Jan. 28 and 30 against Morgan State and Coppin State marked the first time since Dec. 1989 an NSU player had a combined 40 rebounds in two straight games.

Following the game on Monday against UMES, NSU will return to Echols Hall next weekend to take on rival Hampton Saturday at 4 p.m.