TABETHA JONES EARNS THIRD CCAC PLAYER OF WEEK HONOR AFTER RECORD-SETTING GAME

GSU's Tabetha Jones continues her outstanding 2023-2024 season play being named the CCAC Player of the Week for the third time this season following Jones' new school record, 37 points in a game at Olivet Nazarene University, February 10, 75-66.  Jones' 37 points breaks the previous school record of 36 points in a game set by 3 GSU women's players including teammate Angelique Cowan who scored 36 points last year in the 2 OT game at Roosevelt University.

GSU Head Women's Basketball Coach Tonishea Mack commented on Tabetha Jones.

"I am enormously grateful to be a small part of her journey. She has worked extremely hard to get to this point and it is only beneficial that her hard work is paying off with how our team is performing. No one has to tell her how to be successful, or to work hard, that is just who she is. She loves this game and she great at it. People do not see all the work she puts into performing the way that she does and all she cares about is if the team wins. She is one of the most coachable, humble players that I have had the pleasure to coach, and I couldn't be more excited for what she is doing for herself, the team, and our program," said Coach Tmack.

 "The funny part about her career night… After the game I was not excited or happy when I found out she had 38pts. I went up to her and said, " Tab, you missed that easy layup, and those 3 free throws and that could have put you above the scoring record but tying it is good too," said Tmack.

"We laughed and walked away. I thought the record was 38pts. To come to find out the record was 36pts. We were on the bus on our way to get food, when I got confirmation that she did break it, so I stood up and was like - "My bad, you now hold the scoring record for most points scored in the game. The bus went insane with cheers and celebrations."

Jones' career point total at Governors State is now 826 and moved her into 4th place on the all-time GSU women's basketball career scoring charts.

1. Amber Brooks, 1,567 (2016-21) 2. Angelique Cowan, 1073 (2019-2024) 3. Sharita Breeze, 1,050 (2019-2022), 4. Tabetha Jones, 826 (2019-2024) 5. Tyisha Worthy, 776 (2017-2019) 6. Hydela Thomas, 774 (2017-2020)  7. Zaphoria Smith, 724 (2015-2017)

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CCAC CONFERENCE OFFICE 2/13/24 -

CHICAGO --- A record performance during the seven-day period ending Feb. 11 led to Governors State University's Tabetha Jones (Chicago, Ill.) claiming her third Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week award for the 2023-24 season, the league office announced on Tuesday.

Jones established the new Jaguar record on Saturday when she totaled 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field and an 11-for-14 mark from the free-throw line.  In the 75-66 nod over Olivet Nazarene University, she also registered seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Three nights earlier, the graduate student forward authored a double-double with her 18 points and ten rebounds in a 60-51 victory opposite St. Ambrose University.

For the two games combined, Jones averaged 27.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists per outing.  She also shot 59.4 percent from the field with connection on 19 of her 32 shots.

Jones ranks fifth in the league with her 16.3 scoring average, while sitting seventh in steals with 46.

The two victories last week advanced Governors State's records to 19-5 overall and 13-3 in league play with the latter mark placing the Jaguars in the No. 2 spot.

                                                                                - CCAC - Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference