KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Loyola (La.) guard Deniya Thornton has been named the NAIA Women’s Basketball Gared Performance Sport Systems Offensive Player of the Week after powering the Wolf Pack to two victories with an efficient scoring stretch.

A junior from New Roads, La., Thornton delivered a double-double and came within reach of a second while setting the tone in both matchups last week. Across the two game week, she averaged 28.5 points in 36.0 minutes per game, shooting 55.9 percent from the field while consistently getting to the free throw line and converting at a strong rate. She finished the week with 57 total points on 19 for 34 shooting, added 16 for 20 at the line, and knocked down 3 three pointers.

Thornton opened the week on January 8 against Mobile (Ala.) in a 96-56 win with a statement performance. In 31 minutes, she poured in 29 points on 10 for 18 shooting and attacked the paint to earn 12 free throw attempts, making nine. She posted a double-double recording nine rebounds and was disruptive defensively with six steals.

She followed that outing on Jan 10 with another high-level performance in a 78-76 win over Faulkner (Ala.), playing 41 minutes in a tight contest. Thornton scored 28 points on 9 for 16 shooting and provided perimeter punch by hitting 3 for 7 from three-point range. She continued to pressure the defense off the dribble, going 7 for 8 at the free-throw line, and nearly produced a second double-double while also recording 10 rebounds.

Beyond the scoring totals, she averaged 9.5 rebounds per game, including 4.5 offensive rebounds per game that extended possessions and created extra scoring chances. She also contributed 1.5 assists per game, 3.5 steals per game, and 1.0 blocks per game.