For the second time in the last three weeks, Jim Thorpe graduate and Kutztown University senior center Olivia Smelas garnered Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Athlete of the Week honors, as voted on by the conference office.

In three games last week, Smelas averaged seven points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, 3.3 steals per game and two blocks per game in 27.3 minutes per game.

In a game at nationally-ranked Gannon last Tuesday, Smelas finished just shy of a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds, while adding four assists, three blocks and one steal in 24 minutes. In a victory against Clarion last Saturday, Smelas totaled four points, 14 rebounds (three offensive), five assists, four steals and one block in 26 minutes. In a win over Pitt-Johnstown, Smelas recorded eight points, nine rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks in 32 minutes of action.

Smelas ranks seventh in the PSAC with 8.4 rebounds per game, fifth with 1.4 blocks per game and ninth with 2.4 steals per game.

The Golden Bears are 5-4 overall and 2-1 in the PSAC, sporting a two-game win streak heading into the new year. KU will be back on the court for two games in two days out west, starting on Friday, Jan. 2, at Seton Hill at 3 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. game at California the folllowing day.