Women's Basketball: Arianna Gerig garners NEWBA First Team of the Week honors

Link: NEWBA Release

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - After leading the Ephs to a 3-0 record from Dec. 16 - Jan. 5 and averaging 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, senior captain and guard/forward Arianna Gerig of the Williams College women's basketball team earned First Team of the Week accolades by the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) on Tuesday.

The Westport, Connecticut, native was also named NESCAC Player of the Week Monday. She has earned NEWBA First Team of the Week laurels twice and earned a spot on the Second Team of the Week once during the 2024-25 season. In the past two seasons, Gerig has been named to the First Team three times and Second Team on five occasions, while also earning the Player of the Week honor from the NEWBA on Dec. 12, 2023.
 

"I am excited to be named to the NEWBA First Team this week," said Gerig. "I am proud of how our team has grown in the past couple of games and think we are hitting our stride at the perfect time. I cannot wait to start conference play."

During the 3-0 stretch this past week, Gerig went 11 for 11 from the free-throw line and 28 of 54 from the field (51.9%). The Ephs went 2-0 during the Cruzin Classic Tournament in Flordia on Dec. 19 and 20, defeating Concordia (Wis.), 59-48, and No. 9-ranked Gettysburg, 58-54. During the two-day event, Gerig averaged 26.5 points in efficient fashion, shooting a combined 22 of 37 from the field (59.5%). 

Against Gettysburg, she finished with a season-high 27 points and tied a season-best six steals, while shooting 9 for 9 from the charity stripe and 9 for 17 from the field (52.9%). Gerig dropped 26 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field (65.0%), to go along with nine rebounds, in the triumph over Concordia.

She totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals during a 60-44 triumph at Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon in Middletown, Connecticut. 

"Arianna had a tremendous tournament in Florida and was a dominant force down the stretch in our game with Gettysburg to help seal our win," said 35th-year head coach Pat Manning. "She followed that up with a strong showing at Wesleyan. Arianna's game continues to grow and evolve. She puts effort and energy into improving her game. I am thrilled for her well-earned success."

During Gerig's outstanding collegiate career, she has totaled 20 or more points 24 times, 10 or more rebounds on 20 occasions and recorded 20 double-doubles. She holds the Ephs' program record for most points in a single game, scoring 43 at Smith on Dec. 6, 2023, and her 509 points during the 2023-24 season were the most single-season points in program history. 

Gerig tied the program record for steals in a game with nine against Amherst on Jan. 17, 2024. The outstanding student-athlete has 1,357 career points, which is the fourth most in program history.

The Ephs are on a six-game winning streak and have gone 6-1 at home this season. Williams opens NESCAC play with a 7 p.m. game Friday against Little Three-rival Wesleyan at Chandler Gymnasium.