NEW CONCORD — The Ohio Athletic Conference has named a pair of Muskingum University standout basketball players with recognition for their stellar play on the hardwood last week.
Senior Olivia Besancon the OAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week along with Muskingum sophomore Marcus Dempsey being honored for his outstanding play over the holiday break by being named the Ohio Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Besancon led the Muskies to a 3-1 record over the holiday break by averaging 20.5 points per contest. Over the four-game stretch, Besancon connected on 24-of-27 free throws, made 12 three-point shots, grabbed 15 rebounds and registered six assists and four steals. Her outstanding play was recognized at the Ohio Wesleyan Bishop Classic/Hoops for Hope Tournament where she named to the all-tournament team.
Dempsey set the school record for points in a game with his 57-point performance against Oberlin in the Yeoman Tournament championship game. The previous record of 54 points was set during the 1912-13 season by Babe Arnold. Dempsey connected on 19-of-30 from the field, including 7-of-12 from behind the arc and 12-of-16 free throws. His 30 attempts also tied the school record for field goals attempted in a game which was set by Jim Vejsicky against Ohio Northern during the 1970-71 campaign.
On day one of the Oberlin Tournament against Medaille, Dempsey scored 48 points on 15-of-20 shooting, which included hitting 7-of-8 three-point shots and 11-of-17 free throws.
Dempsey was named the Holiday Classic All-Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring 105 total points on 68% shooting from the field (34-of-50) and adding six rebounds and six assists.
In addition, Dempsey was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Men's Player of the Week for the week ending December 31.
Dempsey averaged 52.5 points per game last week as the Fighting Muskies (5-6) went 1-1. In an 88-77 victory over Medaille on Friday, Dempsey scored 48 points (15-of-20 FG, 11-of-17 FT, 7-of-8 3FG) while adding three rebounds and two assists. Then, in a 111-104 loss to Oberlin on Saturday, Dempsey broke the Muskingum record and scored a NCAA Division III one-game season-high 57 points (19-of-30 FG, 12-of-16 FT, 7-of-12 3FG) while also totaling three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. For the week, he shot 69 percent (34-of-50) from the field, 69.6 percent (23-of-33) from the foul line and 70 percent (14-of-20) from three-point range, while also averaging 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.