SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State forward Avery Koenen earned her third straight Summit League Women’s Basketball Kwik Star Peak Performer of the Week honor, league officials announced Tuesday. The weekly award is the seventh of Koenen’s career and her league-high sixth of the season.
Koenen was instrumental in North Dakota State’s 76-68 road win at South Dakota State, leading the game in both scoring and rebounding. The victory lifted the Bison to 5-0 in league play for the first time in program history, halted a 24-game skid against the Jackrabbits that dated back to 2015, and brought an end to SDSU’s nation-long 67-game Summit League regular-season winning streak. North Dakota State also earned its first AP Top 25 vote of the season on Monday.
The Montevideo, Minn., native paced the Bison with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting while pulling down a game-best 13 rebounds. She also added two blocks and two steals to accompany her 13th double-double of the season.
Koenen leads the league in rebounding during conference play at 14.0 per game and ranks second in scoring at 19.4 points per game. Her six weekly accolades tie her with Denver's Madison Nelson (2019-20) and South Dakota State's Myah Selland (2020-21) for the second most during a single season in league history. Oral Roberts' Kevi Luper holds the record after earning seven weekly awards during the 2009-10 season.
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
Jr. | F | Montevideo, Minn.
- Helped the Bison improve to 5-0 in Summit League play for the first time in program history and extended their win streak to 14 games
- Posted a game-high 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field in the road win at South Dakota State
- Hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds with two blocks and two steals for her 13th double-double of the season, which ranks second in the nation
- Earned her seventh career weekly award and sixth this season
Also nominated: Elauni Bennett (Kansas City), Ali Stephens (Omaha), Anna Trusty (Oral Roberts), Patience Williams (South Dakota), Brooklyn Meyer (South Dakota State).
2025-26 Women’s Basketball Peak Performers of the Week
November 11
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State
November 18
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State
November 25
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
December 2
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State
December 9
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State
December 16
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
December 23
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
December 30
Tierra Trotter, Kansas City
January 6
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
January 13
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
January 20
Avery Koenen, North Dakota State
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