By JOHN BOHNENKAMP

Western Illinois freshman guard Raegan McCowan was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s women’s basketball player of the week and freshman of the week on Tuesday, bringing her total of weekly awards in the conference to 16 for the season.

McCowan averaged 31.5 points in two games last week, including a 45-point, 8-rebound performance game in Saturday’s overtime loss to Southern Indiana. That game tied for fifth-highest, and second-highest for a freshman, in NCAA Division I play this season.

McCowan has won 12 freshman of the week honors and four player of the week awards in the OVC.

McCowan shot 40 percent from the field and was 21-of-22 in free throws. She drew 15 fouls in Saturday’s loss.

“We have the best freshman in the country, in my opinion,” Western Illinois senior guard Mallory McDermott said after Saturday’s game. “She’s unreal. I know she’s capable of doing this — I’ve seen her do it in practice before. I can’t wait to see what she keeps doing.”

McCowan ranks 29th in scoring in Division I at 19.3 points per game. Her total of 521 points ranks 31st.

“She’s going to continue to get better, and she knows it,” Western Illinois coach JD Gravina said. “She’s added a lot of moves to her repertoire, and when teams lay off her she’s going to knock down outside shots.

“She’s a special kid, for sure.”

Photo: Western Illinois’ Raegan McCowan drives to the basket in a game against Tennessee State earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of WIU Athletic Communications)