Crista Bechard has been named Athlete of the Week for her performance for the Fort Hays State women's basketball team. The Lady Tigers went 2-0 on the week, defeating Truman, 63-56, on Wednesday and Central Missouri, 68-51, on Saturday. The Lady Tigers are 17-7 and 9-7 in the MIAA.
Bechard, a 5-6 senior guard from Holton, Kan., scored a game-high 16 points in the Lady Tigers' 68-51 win over the Jennies. Bechard went 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. The 16 points ties her second-highest point total in a game this season. She added three rebounds and one assists in 30 minutes.
In the Lady Tigers' 63-56 victory over Truman, Bechard didn't score, but dished out three assists and totaled three rebounds in 30 minutes. From the point guard position, Bechard led an offense that shot almost 50 percent in the game at 46.4 percent.
Bechard has started all 24 games for the Lady Tigers at point guard. An All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection a year ago, Bechard averages 8.0 points per game this season, which places her fourth on the team. She leads the team in assists, averaging 3.04 a game. She also adds 3.0 rebounds a game. Bechard is second on the team in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage with 28 made on 34.6 percent 3-point shooting.
Fort Hays State is 17-7 (9-7 MIAA) on the season, their most wins since going 21-7 in 2005-06. The Lady Tigers finish their road schedule this week with Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern on Thursday and Saturday.
