Brinker Shines and Winters Wins as Pair Collects IIAC Player of the Week Awards
Feb 3, 2015
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Emily Brinker came off the bench and erupted for 29 points in 35 minutes in a pair of wins for the University of Dubuque women’s basketball team while Ernest Winters claimed his second 60 meter dash victory of the year as the University of Dubuque men’s track & field team won the Cornell Hilltop Invite. Both Brinker and Winters garnered UD’s third straight Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Female Athlete of the Week and Male Track Performer of the Week, respectively.
Efficiency was Brinker’s operative word after scoring a combined 29 points on a mere 18 shots. Brinker was a slick 6-for-9 from the field in a 13-point performance in a 77-72 win over Coe last Wednesday that determined sole possession of first place in the IIAC. Her clutch efforts – including an ankle breaking turnaround jumper that broke a 67-67 tie late in the game – led the Spartans to their second-straight win over Coe and third in the last four games.
Once again, Brinker anchored UD’s second platoon off the bench after scoring 14 of her 16 points in the first half of a 78-74 win over rival Loras on Saturday. Brinker put on a shooting clinic and flashed some range in hitting a pair of threes and a long-range two that helped keep Loras at bay in a half that featured two ties, two lead changes, and a slew of jump shots from both sides. The Baraboo, Wis. native finished 4 of 9 from the floor, including 6 of 6 at the foul line, and added six boards in 18 minutes of play to wrap up her first career IIAC Female Athlete of the Week award.
The sophomore totaled 20 points in four previous IIAC games before her 29-point outburst. The nursing major also owns the second-best indoor high jump in school history (5’5”), set at last season’s UW-Platteville qualifying meet.
Speaking of track, the freshman Ernest Winters has been nearly unstoppable after securing his third individual win and second IIAC Male Track Performer of the Week award in the last three weeks. Winters helped lead the charge with his convincing 60 meter dash (7.00) victory in UD’s 63-point team win (205 points) at the Cornell Hilltop Invite on Saturday.
Winters’ won the 60 by 0.20 seconds and added to it after leading off the winning 4x200-meter relay (1:33.13). Winters already owns the IIAC’s best 60 meters (6.99 converted 55) and 200 meters (22.63) set at UD’s Sol Butler Classic (January 17). Both of Winters’ times sit Top-25 nationally.
The Middleton, Wis. native and 2014 Wisconsin State Track 100 meter Champion (Middleton High School) majors in sociology.
Since the beginning of the calendar year, UD student-athletes have earned eight IIAC Player/Athlete of the Week honors.
Note
The IIAC Athlete of the Week award honors the top overall male and female athlete in the IIAC, while the IIAC Performer of the Week honors the top male and female athlete in their respective sport.
Official IIAC release
