GALESBURG, Ill. ­— The Knox College athletics department today revealed its Male and Female Athletes of the Week for events that occurred between Nov. 23-30, with the honors going to sophomore Nayeli Nidez Acuña of the women's basketball team and senior Russell Wright of the men's basketball squad.

Chosen as the Midwest Conference Performer of the Week yesterday, Nidez Acuña had a stellar night in the Prairie Fire's 86-74 victory at Illinois College to begin league play last Tuesday. The 5-10 forward from Tucson, Arizona, led Knox with a career-high 28 points on 10-of-16 field goals and 8-of-9 free throws while also grabbing nine rebounds. Twelve of those points came in the decisive second quarter as she hit all four of her shots from the floor and at the line as the Prairie Fire outscored the Lady Blues in the period, 30-14. 

Wright, who hails from Savannah, Georgia, led the men at Illinois College in both scoring and rebounding with a season-high 14 points on 5-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-6 at the foul line, plus hauled in six caroms. For the season, he ranks third on the Prairie Fire with 9.4 points per game and is second with 5.8 rebounds a night. In addition, the 6-6 forward is shooting 52.9 percent on his field goal attempts, which is almost exactly his career accuracy (53.1 percent).

The Knox Athletes of the Week will be announced every Tuesday afternoon throughout the athletic calendar.