Freshman forward McKenzie Bushee has made a swift impact for Stony Brook in her first year. On Jan. 29, she was awarded with America East Rookie of the Week honors for the third time this season and second time in January.
This marks the fifth time that an America East honor has gone to a member of Stony Brook Women’s Basketball this year. Junior guard Shania Johnson was named Player of the Week on Nov. 13 and freshman forward India Pagan received Rookie of the Week honors on Dec. 18.
Bushee’s strongest performance of the week came against the Albany Great Danes on Jan. 27, when she recorded four points and seven rebounds. Three of her rebounds were offensive boards, which helped the Seawolves record a total of 16 second-chance points against the Great Danes.
In Stony Brook’s other matchup on Jan. 24 against UMass Lowell, Bushee recorded two points and five rebounds in the team’s sole victory of the week. She recorded a shooting percentage of 50 percent from the field in both games, and nailed a combined three out of six field goals.
One of the main ways Bushee helps the Seawolves is through her ability to rebound the ball, especially on the offensive end. She is ranked 10th in the America East with 43 total offensive rebounds and averages two per game. Junior forward Cheyenne Clark has also had a strong offensive rebounding season, ranking second in the conference with 86 boards.
Bushee is also ranked top-30 in the America East in rebounds per game with 4.3. The impressive factor comes with Bushee’s standing on the team. Through 21 games this season, she has a total of 90 rebounds, 47 offensive and 43 defensive.
Throughout the majority of the season, Bushee has played the role of sixth man, typically replacing Clark or Pagan. She has worked her way into the starting lineup with her strong performances, the first time coming against Albany on Jan. 10. Bushee tallied six points, five rebounds and one assist in a four-point loss against the Great Danes.
Along with her offensive presence, Bushee has established herself as a defensive force by leading the Seawolves with 14 total blocked shots and placing third among forwards in steals with six.
Bushee looks to end her January strong as the Seawolves travel to Maryland for their final game of the month on Jan. 31 against UMBC at 7 p.m.
