This week's Murney Student-Athlete of the Week is Missouri State women's basketball player Kennedy Taylor. Taylor turned in a dominating performance for the Lady Bears as she averaged 20.5 points and 13.5 rebounds on the week while shooting 18-for-28 (.643) from the field as MSU split games with Illinois State and Bradley. In MSU's narrow loss to Illinois State on Thursday, Taylor was the Lady Bears' leader with 18 points and 14 rebounds, including six offensive boards, on 8-for-12 shooting from the field in just 25 minutes on the floor. On Saturday in Missouri State's dominating victory against Bradley, the sophomore tied her career high with 23 points, while pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds and seven offensive boards as she shot .625 (10-for-16) from the field in 24 minutes on the court. She also added a block and a steal against the Braves. The Shawnee Mission, Kan. native has recorded three consecutive double-doubles, six consecutive double-digit scoring performances and leads the team with two 20-point games this season. Taylor ranks first in the MVC and 17th nationally with 3.9 offensive rebounds per game as she leads the way for a Lady Bears squad that ranks fifth nationally on the offensive glass. The honor marks the second of Taylor's career and MSU's fourth conference newcomer award-winner this season.
