LOUDONVILLE, NY — For the fourth consecutive week and the seventh time this season, Francesca Schiro has been recognized as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's top freshman. The Siena women's basketball standout was once again named the Air Force Reserve MAAC Rookie of the Week, the league announced Monday.
 
With her league-leading seventh weekly honor, Schiro is now tied for the second-most MAAC Rookie of the Week awards in Siena history, trailing only Margot Hetzke's program record of nine with three weeks remaining in the regular season. She has also further separated herself from the rest of the conference's freshmen, now holding a five-award advantage over the next closest newcomer.
 
Schiro nearly recorded double-doubles in both games last week, delivering standout performances against Saint Peter's and Manhattan. She scored 21 points with nine rebounds at Saint Peter's on Feb. 5 before following up with 24 points and a career-high nine assists at Manhattan on Feb. 8. With back-to-back 20-point games, Schiro now has 11 such performances this season, including five straight. For the week, she averaged 22.5 points per game while shooting 46% from the field and 56% from three-point range, adding 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest.
 
The Hillsborough, NJ native raised her scoring average to 17.7 points per game, ranking second in the MAAC and fourth nationally among freshmen (59th overall). She also leads the conference in scoring during league play, averaging 19.6 points per game against MAAC opponents.
 
She was also recently voted Mid-Major Madness Player of the Week for the second time this season on Sunday, an honor recognizing her performance in games played between Jan. 26 and Feb. 1.
 
Schiro and the Saints return to action on the road this week, beginning with a 6 p.m. tipoff Thursday at Quinnipiac.