Seven days, four Performers of the Week. A freshman from Finland who could not miss from deep, a Slovenian forward who matched his career highs off the bench, a Longwood starter who owned overtime on homecoming weekend, and a Tulsa sophomore who opened her season the same way she finished the last one: in double figures. Add a double-double in Bloomington and an efficient night in Kansas, and you have one of the busiest weeks of the young season for NIL Plus Group clients.

Performers of the Week

Oliver Kanden, Pepperdine

The sharpshooter

Oliver Kanden, Pepperdine
Oliver Kanden, Pepperdine.

Some freshmen need a few weeks to find their range. Oliver Kanden found his on opening night. In Thursday’s 106–66 home opener against La Sierra, which also gave head coach Aldrich his first win at Pepperdine, Oliver scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, and every one of his makes came from three. He added 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 23 minutes.

“posted 12 points on four makes from downtown”

Pepperdine Athletics

Two nights later he did it again. Oliver scored 10 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a 116–43 win over Bethesda, the biggest margin of victory in program history, knocking down 3 of 5 looks from beyond the arc to tie for the team lead in threes. His week in one line: two starts, two wins and 7 of 13 from three for the freshman from Finland.

Box score vs La Sierra · Recap vs La Sierra · Box score vs Bethesda · Recap vs Bethesda

Staš Šivka, William & Mary

The spark off the bench

Staš Šivka, William & Mary
Staš Šivka, William & Mary.

Staš Šivka needed only 19 minutes to take over Sunday at Kaplan Arena. Coming off the bench, he scored a team-high 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, went 3 of 5 from three, and added 6 rebounds and a block as William & Mary rolled past Norfolk State 104–73. Twelve of his points came after halftime, and the Tribe moved to 2–0.

“led all scorers with 17 points and six rebounds, matching his career highs”

WYDaily

The night made headlines, literally. The Associated Press game story ran under the title “Sivka scores 17 off the bench,” and BVM Sports noted that “Stas Sivka led the Tribe with 17 points.”

Box score vs Norfolk State · W&M recap · AP story · WYDaily

Lazar Milošević, Longwood

Mr. Overtime

Lazar Milošević, Longwood
Lazar Milošević, Longwood.

Homecoming weekends are made for moments like this one. Longwood trailed North Carolina Central by four with 2:20 left in overtime when Lazar Milošević went to work: a three, then two straight scores in the post. Longwood won 80–75.

The starter finished with a season-high 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 28 minutes, and 7 of those points, plus an assist, came in the extra period.

“made big play after big play in overtime”

Longwood Athletics

Mid-Major Basketball also singled him out, quoting head coach Ronnie Thomas, who said Lazar has “taken a big leap with how aggressive and physical he has been.”

Box score vs North Carolina Central · Longwood recap: Heroes Abound in Thrilling Homecoming Win · Mid-Major Basketball · AP story

Dora Toman, Tulsa

Right where she left off

Dora Toman, Tulsa
Dora Toman, Tulsa.

Dora Toman was named American Freshman of the Week seven times last season, and her sophomore year started the same way. In Tuesday’s season opener against Incarnate Word, a game tied 57–57 in the final minute, she came off the bench to score 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including two threes, and added 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 26 minutes. Only one Tulsa player scored more.

“Dora Toman: 14 points, including two 3-pointers”

BVM Sports

On Saturday she tied for the team lead with 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a 67–40 exhibition win over Rogers State. The Hillcats’ own recap noted she “finished with nine points and five rebounds, including one 3-pointer.”

Box score vs Incarnate Word · BVM Sports recap · Box score vs Rogers State (exhibition) · Rogers State recap

More strong performances

Teodora Kričković, Indiana University

Teodora Kričković ran the show in Wilkinson Hall’s 100th match. Indiana swept Iowa 25–17, 25–19, 25–12 on Friday, and Teodora finished with a double-double of 38 assists and a team-best 11 digs, plus 2 service aces. It was, in the words of Indiana’s recap, her “second double-double in as many games.” On Sunday she added 34 assists against Illinois in a tight three-set match.

Box score vs Iowa · Recap: Team Defense Dominates in Wilkinson Hall’s 100th Match

Matias Haliseva, Dodge City Community College

Matias Haliseva needed only six shots to make his mark at the GCCC Classic in Garden City, Kansas. The Dodge City starter scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, with an assist and a block, as the Conquistadors beat North Platte 84–70 on Friday. The team’s recap made sure to note that “Matias Haliseva also posted 12 points.”

Box score vs North Platte · Recap

Also on the court this week

Not every week ends with a headline, but every week on a college roster counts. These NIL Plus Group clients also took the floor for their programs:

  • Noa Zemljić, UMass
  • Maruan Čičić and Tadej Colnarič, UW-Green Bay
  • Nino Žarković, Columbia
  • Tin Tikveša, Florida Tech
  • Olavi Suutela, UC San Diego
  • Dimitrije Pavlović, Bradley
  • Marko Pavlović and Mihail Gavazov, Oral Roberts

Coming up

  • Wednesday, November 11: Teodora Kričković and Indiana volleyball visit Minnesota.
  • Sunday, November 15: Staš Šivka and William & Mary play at Michigan.
  • Sunday, November 15: Oliver Kanden and Pepperdine visit Oregon.

Follow our athletes on Instagram @nilplusgroup. Recruiting inquiries: momir@nilplusgroup.com

Sources

Basketball Clients Recap Volleyball