OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha guard
Ja Harvey's impact on the Mavericks women's basketball team is gaining regional and national attention, as the senior from San Diego has been named Summit League Peak Newcomer of the Month for December.
Harvey's story is one of commitment and desire, and the 27-year-old has been integral in leading the Mavericks to their second-best 14 game start in the school's Division I Era at 9-5.
Since Harvey joined the starting lineup, the Mavericks have lost just once, including a seven-game winning streak. The senior transfer scored double digits in each December game, leading the team in scoring three times, averaging a team-best 16.2 ppg during that span. In December, she led her team in points, ppg, field goals made and three pointers made, steals and minutes played while sinking 19 of 20 free throws.
Carrie Banks on Ja Harvey: "Ja had a tremendous month for us on both ends of the floor. I'm really proud of the progress she's shown since getting in the lineup and I'm looking forward to her continued growth. She's just scratching the surface."
The 27-year-old started her collegiate career late after a stellar high school career at Granite Hills. She joined the Army National Guard but missed playing the game after a few seasons, so Harvey enrolled at Palomar CC where she was a two-time SoCal JUCO Player of the Year and All-American. After one year at Fresno State, Harvey went into the portal and came to Omaha, where she has become a significant floor leader. A minor knee injury and National Guard responsibilities over the summer kept her from playing the first couple of games, but now trails only senior
Grace Cave in points per game (13.5 to 13.3).
This is Omaha's first women's basketball honor of the 24-25 season and first of her NCAA career.
Peak Performer Awards for December
Overall
Male: Jacksen Moni, NDSU
Female: Jalei Oglesby, ORU
Newcomer
Male: Ethan Thomas, UND
Female:
Ja Harvey, UNO
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