Charlotte, NC (February 10, 2026) – Week Thirteen of CIAA Basketball featured sustained late season execution, interior physicality, and efficient guard play as teams continued conference play heading into the final weeks of the regular season. Veteran leaders delivered consistent scoring and defensive control, while freshmen continued to emerge in expanded roles. The CIAA recognizes six student athletes for their outstanding play during the week of February 1 through February 7.
WOMEN’S WEEKLY RESULTS SUMMARY (Feb. 1–Feb. 7)
CIAA women’s programs showcased disciplined defensive effort, consistent perimeter leadership, and strong interior presence. Claflin’s balanced attack was anchored by veteran guard play and interior defense, while Elizabeth City State continued to see growth from its young frontcourt contributors.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HONOREES
Player of the Week - Ashari Lewis, Claflin
Ashari Lewis continued to affirm her status as one of the CIAA’s premier guards, delivering a dominant three game week to earn Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honors. The senior reached double digit scoring in all three contests, totaling 46 points while leading Claflin to a perfect week in conference play.
Lewis opened the week with 12 points and six rebounds against Johnson C. Smith, followed by 11 points and four rebounds in a road victory at Shaw. She closed the week with her most complete performance, scoring 23 points with four rebounds in a home win over Shaw, controlling tempo and scoring efficiently throughout.
In addition to her offensive consistency, Lewis contributed defensively, recording three blocks on the week, including two in the final matchup against Shaw.
Game by Game Highlights:
- vs Johnson C. Smith (2/2/26) – W 63–44: 12 points, six rebounds, one block
- at Shaw (2/4/26) – W 66–44: 11 points, four rebounds
- vs Shaw (2/7/26) – W 61–45: 23 points, four rebounds, two blocks
Defensive Player of the Week - Olivia Randolph, Claflin
Olivia Randolph delivered a dominant defensive week for Claflin, anchoring the Lady Panthers in the paint across three conference victories. The sophomore center recorded eight blocks and four steals while controlling the glass with 21 total rebounds.
Randolph opened the week with five rebounds against Johnson C. Smith, followed by back to back eight rebound performances in road and home wins over Shaw. Her rim protection and rebounding presence consistently disrupted opposing offenses.
Offensively, Randolph added steady production, totaling 18 points on the week with six points in each contest, highlighting her two way impact.
Game by Game Highlights:
- vs Johnson C. Smith (2/2/26) – W 63–44: six points, five rebounds, one block
- at Shaw (2/4/26) – W 66–44: six points, eight rebounds, three blocks
- vs Shaw (2/7/26) – W 61–45: six points, eight rebounds, four blocks
Rookie of the Week - Tionna Pettus, Elizabeth City State
Tionna Pettus delivered an efficient and impactful week for Elizabeth City State, continuing to emerge as a reliable frontcourt presence in her freshman campaign. Pettus totaled 24 points and nine rebounds across two contests while contributing defensively.
Her week was highlighted by a standout performance against Bowie State, where she scored 19 points on 6 of 10 shooting, including perfect marks from three point range and the free throw line. She added six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in 29 minutes.
Pettus followed with a steady all around effort against Virginia Union, contributing across the stat sheet and continuing to impact the game beyond scoring.
Game by Game Highlights:
- vs Bowie State (2/5/26) – L 71–54: 19 points, six rebounds, two blocks, one steal
- vs Virginia Union (2/7/26) – L 72–59: five points, three rebounds, one block, one steal
MEN’S WEEKLY RESULTS SUMMARY (Feb. 1–Feb. 7)
CIAA men’s programs were fueled by physical interior play, efficient guard scoring, and defensive rebounding as teams continued to position themselves for postseason play. Claflin’s interior presence and Johnson C. Smith’s guard production highlighted a competitive week across the league.
MEN’S BASKETBALL HONOREES
Player of the Week - Trey Pettigrew, Johnson C. Smith
Trey Pettigrew delivered a dominant and efficient week for Johnson C. Smith, earning Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors after posting back to back 27 point performances and leading the Golden Bulls with physical, high impact guard play.
Across two contests, Pettigrew totaled 54 points, shooting 18 for 30 from the field, while relentlessly attacking the rim and drawing contact. He converted 15 free throws over the stretch, consistently applying offensive pressure.
Pettigrew recorded 27 points and six rebounds in a home win over Livingstone, then followed with another 27 point performance on the road, adding four assists and two steals while shooting 64.3 percent from the floor.
Game by Game Highlights:
- vs Livingstone (2/4/26) – W 84–66: 27 points, six rebounds
- at Livingstone (2/7/26) – W 77–69: 27 points, four assists, two steals
Defensive Player of the Week - Alex Atkinson, Claflin
Alex Atkinson delivered another dominant defensive week for Claflin, anchoring the Panthers with physical interior play and elite rebounding. The sophomore forward totaled 30 rebounds, averaging 10 rebounds per game, while consistently limiting second chance opportunities.
Atkinson opened the week with seven rebounds and two blocks against Johnson C. Smith, followed by 12 rebounds in a narrow road win at Shaw. He closed the week with 11 rebounds at home against Shaw, continuing to control the paint.
Offensively, Atkinson added 42 points, including 15 points against Johnson C. Smith and 19 points at Shaw, showcasing his two way impact.
Game by Game Highlights:
- vs Johnson C. Smith (2/2/26) – W 79–72: 15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks
- at Shaw (2/4/26) – W 80–79: 19 points, 12 rebounds
- vs Shaw (2/7/26) – L 81–79: eight points, 11 rebounds
Rookie of the Week - Charles Thomas III, Bowie State
Charles Thomas III turned in a productive and consistent two game stretch for Bowie State, earning Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week honors through efficiency, rebounding, and defensive activity. The freshman forward averaged 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds across the week.
Thomas opened with 13 points against Elizabeth City State, adding four rebounds and three steals. He followed with a strong outing at Bluefield State, finishing with 17 points on 7 of 14 shooting, including two three pointers, while grabbing a game high six rebounds.
Game by Game Highlights:
- at Elizabeth City State (2/5/26) – L 72–62: 13 points, four rebounds, three steals
- at Bluefield State (2/7/26) – L 75–73: 17 points, six rebounds, two three pointers
As conference play continues and the final weeks of the regular season approach, the countdown is underway for the 2026 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, set for February 24 through February 28 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore. Tickets and tournament information are available at ciaatournament.org.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.