By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — Shayley Vesel (Austin, Minn.) was a scoring machine for the Saint Mary's University women's basketball team last week.
 
The sophomore guard led Saint Mary's in scoring in both of their games — including scoring a team-high 16 points in helping the Cardinals to their biggest win of the season last Saturday, when they put an end to fifth-ranked Bethel's 20-game, season-opening winning streak with a 77-69 victory.
 
And Monday, Vesel was recognized for her efforts, earning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week honors, the league office announced.
 
Vesel has been the Cardinals' offensive spark plug all season, and last week was no exception. Vesel kicked off the week by scoring a team-best 20 points in Saint Mary's 71-59 loss to Augsburg last Wednesday, before adding her 16-point effort in last Saturday's upset of No. 5 Bethel.
 
For the week, Vesel — who has led the team in scoring in each of its last four games — averaged 18.0 ppg, while adding s12 rebounds (6.0 rpg), three assists, and three steals.
 
Vesel's 20-point effort against Augsburg marked the second time in the team's last four games — and the fifth time this season — that she has scored 20 of more points in a game.
 
Vesel and the Cardinals (3-13 MIAC, 3-18 overall) hit the road on Wednesday, traveling to Carleton's West Gym in Northfield, Minn., for a 7 p.m. conference tilt against the Knights.