SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Western Illinois’ Danni Nichols took home this week’s TicketSmarter Summit League Women’s Basketball Player of the Week accolade, league officials announced Monday. Nichols led the Leathernecks’ scoring efforts in all three games, including back-to-back 20-plus point efforts during the Compass Challenge that earned her Tournament MVP honors.
 
Against Incarnate Word, Nichols entered the program’s 1,000 point club following a performance that included 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. She became the 20^th player in WIU history to achieve that feat.
 
During the opening day of the Compass Challenge, Nichols recorded a game-high 26 points to go along with six assists and two steals in a 92-83 victory over Northern Illinois. Her 26 points tied her then-career-high set at North Dakota on Jan. 26, 2020.
 
The following day, Nichols bested her career-high by tallying 27 points on 78 percent shooting from the field to propel WIU to an 85-80 win over Southern Illinois. She added five rebounds and two steals to help Western Illinois secure the Compass Challenge Tournament crown.
 
Nichols finished the week averaging 22.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 spg and shot 66 percent (25-for-38) from the field.  
 
Danni Nichols, Western Illinois
Sr | G | Columbia, Mo.

• Collected the first weekly award of her career
• Averaged 22.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 spg and shot 66 percent from the field in three games
• Led WIU to the Compass Challenge title and was named Tournament MVP

Also nominated: Ryan Cobbins (North Dakota State), Hannah Sjerven (South Dakota), Uju Ezeudu (Denver), Brooklyn McDavid (Kansas City), Mariah Murdie (Omaha)
 
2021 Women’s Basketball Players of the Week
November 15
Liv Korngable, South Dakota
 
November 22
Brooklyn McDavid, Kansas City
 
November 29
Naomie Alnatas, Kansas City
 
December 6
Danni Nichols, Western Illinois