ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Shaiquel McGruder can now add Mountain West Player of the Week to her resume. Recognized for her ability to influence a game defensively with a spot on the Mountain West All-Defensive Team last season, the senior forward has earned her first career conference Player of the Week accolade on Monday after a sensational performance on both ends of the court against UTEP.
Beyond just filing the scoring column, McGruder was a force all over the court, recording her third double-double of the season with 18 points, a game-and season-high 14 rebounds (seven offensive), a game-high five blocks (tying her career high), three steals and two assists. In addition, it was her fourth game this season with 10-plus rebounds, her fourth game with multiple blocks and her eighth game with multiple steals.
Of McGruder’s 18 points, 12 came off of fast-break layups with the Lobos scoring as a team 21 fast-break points in the game.
Entering the game leading the Mountain West in field-goal percentage, McGruder kept ahold of her position, going 9-for-14 (64.3 percent) from the floor.
McGruder opened the scoring for the Lobos against UTEP and had a block in the first quarter that led to a three-pointer for a seven-point UNM lead as part of a 14-2 Lobo run after UTEP got out to 5-0 start. McGruder played all 10 minutes in the opening quarter with four points, two rebounds and a block.
In the second quarter, McGruder turned defense to offense with another fast-break layup off of a defensive board and created a steal that led to a second-chance layup for the Trotwood, Ohio, native. It was one of two steals for McGruder in the quarter, with the Lobo matching her first quarter point production of four points to go along with three rebounds, two steals and a block.
McGruder took it to another level in the third quarter with a balanced six points and six rebounds (five offensive), adding another two blocks, while scoring the first four points of the frame on a second-chance layup and a fast-break layup that stretched UNM’s lead to 17 points.
Her third steal of the game led to a McGruder offensive rebound (her 14th rebound in the game) and putback in the fourth quarter, with her final points in the game coming on a fast-break layup after the Miners closed to within eight. McGruder closed the night with four points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal in the fourth quarter, playing almost the entirety of the quarter.
In the final two quarters, McGruder tallied a near double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds (six offensive), three blocks, two assists and a steal.
Heading into the conference portion of the schedule, McGruder not only leads the Mountain West in field-goal percentage, but is also fifth in blocks per game at 1.2, eighth in scoring and rebounds per game with 13.9 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game, and ninth in steals per game at 1.9.
She leads the Lobos with 180 points, 85 rebounds, 25 steals and is second on the team in blocks with 15.
Monday’s award marks the second weekly conference honor for the Lobos this season with Viané Cumber earning Freshman of the Week to open the season. In addition, McGruder is the first Lobo frontcourt player to be named player of the week since Jaisa Nunn on Feb. 4, 2019.
McGruder and the Lobos open MW play at home on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. against San José State.