Kiyanna Black has been tremendous in what likely will be another historical year for the program. Here's why she should win MAC Player of the Year over Nathalie Fontaine.
How good do you have to be turn a program around in two years?
Kiyanna Black good.
In four years, she almost single-handedly has helped the Bobcats, along with coach Bob Boldon, turn the program from 20-plus losses to back-to-back 20-plus wins.
But is her success and progression through her final season as a Bobcat enough to finish her collegiate career with Mid-American Conference Player of the Year?
Stats
Black is known for one thing: her shooting.
She has the most taken 3-pointers in school history, leads the conference in most made 3s and has tied the conference record for the most made 3s in a game at 10.
With 96 made 3-pointers this season, Black heavily relies on her shooting efficiency. That’s her niche. She may not make as many as she takes, but she can shoot from the 3-point range.
She also has averaged 18.5 points per game this season.
Player of the Week
Black has four MAC Player of the Week awards as of last Monday. Though Ball State guard Nathalie Fontaine has six on the year, Black has — on more than one occasion — won each time without question. Three of the times Black won the award, she has reached a season high. In one, she passed her career high with 39 points in the team’s comeback win against Central Michigan.
The last time she won the award, it came after she scored 38 points to help Ohio blow past Toledo. It was also the game she tied the conference and team record for most made 3s.
She also holds several program records with most 3s made in season, most 3s taken and most 3s attempted.
Oh, and she’s the second all-time scorer for the Bobcats with 1,643 points.
That’s a nice resume.
Comparison
If there were an award for MAC East/West Player of the Year, Fontaine and Black would have it locked up no doubt. But, there only can be one MAC Player of the Year.
Honestly, it’s a hard sell for either.
Both players are relied on heavily by their respective teams, and without either player, neither Ohio nor Ball State would have been as successful as both teams were this season.
Fontaine leads the conference in points per game with 21.2. But in conference games only, both players average 19.3 points a game. Black bested Fontaine in the two matchups the teams played this year by scoring 16 in the first game and 23 in the second game.
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Fontaine was held to 33 points total in both games, which puts her below her season average both times she played Ohio (16.5).
Both players are prolific free throw shooters and shoot above 75 percent.
Final Verdict
This is a tough decision. Both players are highly valuable to their respective teams. Both also have equal arguments as to why one should get the award over the other.
But in the end, Black deserves the award. She has the overall better team, and she ultimately has a harder role for her team, making her more valuable.
Without KB, there would be no #BobsBallers.
@wynstonw_
ww773412@ohio.edu
