For the first time in the program's recorded history, a women's basketball cadet-athlete earned National Player of the Week recognition from the NAIA when the organization announced junior forward Alicia Porter as this week's selection on Tuesday. 

The NAIA's honor took place one day after California Pacific Conference officials bestowed its Player of the Week Award to the Simi Valley, California, native.

In last Sunday's league game at Pacific Union, Porter finished with an attention-grabbing double-double of 43 points and 26 rebounds, new career highs in each category. Her 26 boards are the Cal Pac's new all-time single-game record; she is now responsible for the fourth-highest single-game points total in league history. 

"I knew I was having a good game, but I never realized what took place because I was focused on doing whatever the team needed to win," said Porter. "If anything, I was focused on grabbing any loose ball within reach, remaining in the moment and helping the team on each possession."

"This was the best game of my career, that afternoon was the byproduct of all the hours spent in the gym throughout my life. When everything sunk in after the game, that was a once-in-a-lifetime feeling I will work hard to experience again, especially since we returned home with a win."

Porter added, "I am so thankful to share this moment with my teammates, coaches and family who supported me throughout my playing career, especially since I did not know if I would play another season of basketball once last year's games were cancelled."

In addition to setting a new single-game program rebound record, Porter now ranks second behind Alexis Brown for the most points scored in a game by a Keelhauler. On February 24, 2012, Brown finished with 55 points in a Cal Pac Championship semifinal game vs. Holy Names.

Singlehandedly responsible for 60 percent of her team's offense and 46 percent of its rebounds, Porter's historic performance led to women's basketball's first overall and conference victory of the season. 

"I am so proud of her and proud to be her head coach," said Denise Bennett. "She has worked hard all season long on rebounding, the hard work and aggressiveness that takes place each practice truly prepared her for what took place in last Sunday's game."

Bennett added, "the entire program is excited for Alicia, she truly deserves this award."   

NAIA Players of the Week are evaluated on their performance during the week prior to the announcement.  Each player is selected out of a pool of conference and Independent Institution award winners.

Following Thursday's 5:30 p.m. road game at UC Merced, the Keelhaulers will host Simpson (Feb. 5), the Bobcats (Feb. 8) and Pacific Union (Feb. 12) in their final homestand of the 2021-22 season. Admission to all Cal Maritime home events is free, video stream and live stats links for every women's basketball game are available at GoKeelhaulers.com.