Latrese McNair has been named the NJCU Women's Athlete of the Week for the first time this season and the sixth time in the last two years.
Despite an 0-3 week for the Gothic Knights, McNair—the two-time national steals per game champion—had historic moments as she became only the 19th player in Division III history with 400+ career steals. She averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 steals, 3.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, with totals of 40 points, 19 rebounds, 16 steals, nine assists and four blocks. She had a 1.1 assists/turnover ratio. Overall, she shot 45.5 percent from three-point range (10-22) and 41.2 percent from the field (14-34), making 2-of-4 from the line.
In a 56-44 loss to #15 ranked New York University on December 11, McNair had a team-high 11 points, to increase her career total to 940 points, as she hit 3-of-8 three-pointers. She added six rebounds, four steals and four assists while playing a full 40 minutes. She increased her career totals to 390 career steals, and climbed into 21st place in Division III history in swipes, after starting the day 24th. NYU lead 21-7 in the first half before a three by McNair at 2:11 made it 29-25.
A December 13, 57-55 setback against Lehman College, spoiled a tremendous shooting effort by McNair, who scored a game-high 20 points on 7-of-10, including 6-of-7 from three-point range. The six triples are a single-game career high, surpassing her previous best of three on four occasions. She added five steals, giving her 395 career swipes as she climbed into a tie for 19th place in Division III history. She had 14 points in the first half on 5-of-7 shooting and 4-of-5 triples. All six three-pointers made by NJCU in the came were by McNair.
NJCU trailed 14-11 with 12:54 remaining in the first half before unleashing a 13-2 run over a span of 7:08 to grab a 24-16 lead with 5:46 left in the first period. McNair had six points on two triples during the tear, and the Knights held a seven-point, 35-28 cushion at the break.
The game was tied 43-43 with 11:50 remaining before a three by McNair at 7:44 helped the Gothic Knights gain a 50-46 margin. The game was again tied 52-52 with 2:58 left. A three by McNair broke the tie at 2:41, but that was NJCU’s last points of the game, with the Knights leading 55-52, as Lehman outscored the NJCU 9-3 down the stretch.
In a 63-54 loss at SUNY-Farmingdale on December 16, McNair surpassed the 400 steal plateau, climbing to 18th all-time with 402. She netted a near triple-double with nine points (3-11 FG; 1-7 3FG), eight rebounds, and seven steals, to go along with three assists, before fouling out.
Now with 969 career points, she is 31 shy of becoming the eighth NJCU women’s player to score 1,000 for a career.
