St. John Fisher College’s Portia Velasco, a freshman on the women’s basketball team, has been named the College’s Female Athlete of the Week for the week ending January 29, 2012.
In a 3-0 week for the Cardinals, Velasco scored in double figure in each outing, while contributing a full stat line in the contests. Per game she averaged 18 points, 5.3 boards, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 94.4% (17-for-18) from the free-throw line.
The week started with an away game against East Ave rival Nazareth College. Velasco used several coast-to-coast finishes after steals to power the Cardinals past the Golden Flyers 66-57. Her explosive moves to the hole made way for a game-high 19 points while still finding her teammates five times for assists. The California native also gathered four rebounds and three steals that led to transition baskets.
On Friday night Fisher faced-off in an Empire 8 matchup at Elmira College. The Cardinals dominated in every aspect, especially defensively in the first half, while shooting over 55% for the entire game in the 74-61 win. Velasco scored 13 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists and had a steal against the Soaring Eagles. Fisher allowed just two field goals in the first 12 minutes of play using a stifling defense to control the tempo.
Saturday afternoon pitted the Cardinals against another Empire 8 foe, this time traveling to face Alfred University. The freshman had a monster afternoon, scoring 22 points while collecting six rebounds again. She passed for four assists against the Saxons while stealing the ball twice. Velasco was also a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe in the game to help defeat Alfred 74-63.
Fisher will return to action at 6 p.m. on Friday night when it hosts the Pioneers of Utica College.
