Around The Big Ten – December 17

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MEN’S SOCCER

CARY, N.C. – Harrison Bertos’ 92^nd minute goal proved to be the difference, as Washington claimed its first men’s soccer national championship with a 3-2 overtime win over No. 15 seed N.C. State in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament final at WakeMed Park in Cary, N.C.

After surrendering a game-tying goal in the 87^th minute, the Huskies responded early in overtime as Egor Akulov found Bertos for the championship-winning goal, the junior’s fifth marker of the season.

Washington grabbed the lead late in the first half, as Zach Ramsey opened the scoring in the 44^th minute. The Huskies doubled their lead in the 62^nd minute, as Richie Aman found Joe Dale for a two-goal cushion.

The Wolfpack responded just four minutes later before leveling the score in the 87^th minute.

Washington claims its first men’s soccer national championship in its second title game appearance. The Huskies also reached the final in 2021.

Ramsey was named the Offensive Most Outstanding Player (MOP), while goaltender Jadon Bowton recorded five saves to earn Defensive MOP honors. Richie Aman, Asher Hestad, and Charlie Kosakoff were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

The win marks the 13^th NCAA men’s soccer title for the Big Ten and the first since Maryland won the crown in 2018.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Co-Player of the Week
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
G – R-Sr. – 6-4 – Ashdown, Ark. – Ashdown

• Averaged 29.5 points on 63.6 percent shooting from the floor, including 12-20 from three-point range, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while splitting a pair of game this week
• Notched a career-high 44 points against Penn State, a Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall record, and a program-record 10 made three-pointers in less than 24 minutes of action
• Per OptaSTATS, Wilkerson is the only Division I or NBA player in the last 30 seasons to score 40-plus points and make 10-plus three-pointers in a game while playing less than 25 minutes
• Added 15 points and two rebounds in a 72-60 loss at Kentucky
• Claims first Player of the Week honor
• Last Indiana Player of the Week: Tucker DeVries (November 10, 2025)

Co-Player of the Week
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
F – Jr. – 6-7 – Waukee, Iowa – Waukee

• Averaged 23.0 points on 64 percent shooting, including 47 percent from 3-point range, along with 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as Nebraska went 2-0
• Scored a career-high 32 points on 12-18 shooting, matching a career-high with six three-pointers, in Nebraska’s win at No. 13 Illinois
• Tallied the Huskers’ first 15 points and 26 points in the first half
• Added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in Nebraska’s 90-60 win over Wisconsin
• Claims first Player of the Week honor
• Last Nebraska Player of the Week: Brice Williams (February 3, 2025)

Freshman of the Week
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
G – 6-6 – Shawnee, Kan. – Shawnee Mission Northwest

• Averaged 21 points and 7.5 assists in a pair of games, while shooting 50% from the field, 54% from 3-point range, and 92% from the free throw line
• Led the Illini with a career-high 23 points and five assists while playing 39 minutes in an 88-80 win at Ohio State
• Paired 19 points and a career-best 10 assists in 40 minutes on the floor of Illinois’ 83-80 loss to Nebraska
• Earns first Freshman of the Week award
• Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: David Mirkovic (Nov. 17, 2025)

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Player of the Week
Shay Ciezki, Indiana
Sr. – Guard – Buffalo, N.Y. – St. Mary’s
• Dropped 31 points while shooting 70.6 percent from the field versus ULM
• Had a team-high 25 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals against Eastern Michigan
• Was a perfect 8-for-8 at the charity stripe through two games
• Earns her second Big Ten Player of the Week honor
• Last Indiana Player of the Week: Shay Ciezki (Nov. 10, 2025)

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll
Gretchen Dolan, ILL: Averaged 20.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in a pair of victories
Hannah Stuelke, IOWA: Posted a double-double (10 points, 15 rebounds) at Iowa State and followed up with 31 points versus Lindenwood
Jaloni Cambridge, OSU: Matched her career-high with 33 points and added four steals against Northern Kentucky to help the Buckeyes set a single-game record with 27 steals

Freshman of the Week
Maya Makalusky, Indiana
Forward – Fishers, Ind. – Hamilton Southeastern 
• Made her first career start and notched a season-high 22 points against ULM
• Shot 66.7 percent from the floor and 60 percent from beyond the arc against the Warhawks with four rebounds, three assists and two steals
• Added nine points and six rebounds versus Eastern Michigan
• Collects her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week laurel
• Last Indiana Freshman of the Week: Yarden Garzon (Jan. 30, 2023)