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Sampson Named USA South Player of the Week

Sampson Named USA South Player of the Week
Posted: Feb 13, 2023

ROME, Ga. – Salem senior guard Dionne Sampson capped off her ninth straight double-digit point performance, which resulted in a single-game season-high 24 points in an 84-69 victory over Meredith, by becoming the first player in program history to capture USA South Player of the Week in an announcement from the league office on Monday, February 13th.

Sampson was an integral part of Salem's second half rally that resulted in the 15-point victory over the Avenging Angels by scoring a team-high 24 points, while amassing five rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Burlington, N.C., native finished 6-of-17 from the field, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range, and was 10-of-11 at the charity stripe to reach double figures for the ninth straight time and 19th time this season.

"Dionne has worked hard this season and she has steadily improved each game," said head coach Sharee Boyd. "I'm happy for her to get rewarded with this honor for her hard work it is well overdue."

Sampson, who moved into Top-10 in program history in scoring earlier this month, has topped the 20-point mark in her career on three occasions. Her single-game career-high came one year ago against William Peace, when she tallied 30 points in a 92-83 win over the Pacers. On January 25, 2023, Sampson established her then season-high in points with a 22-point performance in a 70-53 win over Mary Baldwin. Saturday's performance against Meredith surpassed that mark as Salem posted the 10th-most points (84) in a USA South Conference game in program history.

Sampson became the first player in program history to earn Player of the Week honors from the USA South. Five different players, including Satavia Taylor (7x), Shamaz Demerson (3x), Kelsey Rector (2x), Quntashea Lewis (2x) and Jasmine Shabazz accounted for the 15 total Player of the Week honors earned by Salem during its time in the Great South Athletic Conference.

Sampson also joins teammate Minnie Griffin, who is a two-time USA South Conference Rookie of the Week recipient this season. Griffin claimed the awards on November 28, 2022 and January 30, 2022.