FRISCO, Texas — McNeese forward Dakota Howard has earned this week's Jersey Mike's Southland Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week award, the conference office announced Monday.
Women's Basketball Player of the Week: Dakota Howard, McNeese - Fr. - Forward - Shreveport, La. (Parkway HS)
Howard averaged 17.0 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game in helping McNeese to a 3-0 record in three games played since Dec. 22. The freshman from Shreveport, Louisiana, scored in double figures in all three games including tying her career high with 20 points at UIW, 18 points at Houston Christian and 13 points in a home win over Lamar. The win over Lamar is the first time McNeese beat the Cardinals since 2016. Howard shot 59 percent from the field, led McNeese with 18 rebounds and 11 steals while dishing out six assists in its three games.
2025-26 Southland Conference Women's Basketball Players of the Week
| Date |
Player of the Week |
| Nov. 10 |
Vernell Atamah, Northwestern State |
| Nov. 17 |
Key Roseby, SFA |
| Nov. 24 |
Lihi Azouri, Southeastern |
| Dec. 1 |
Cha Gardner, SFA |
| Dec. 8 |
Vernell Atamah, Northwestern State |
| Dec. 15 |
Kamryn McLaurin, HCU |
| Dec. 22 |
Nya Valentine, Northwestern State |
| Jan. 5 |
Dakota Howard, McNeese |
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school's sports information director. Voting for one's own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.