ST. LOUIS – Redshirt sophomore Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.) of the Drake University women's basketball team has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the fourth time this season, the MVC announced Wednesday, Jan. 31 morning.
 
Rhine averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 block per game while shooting 50.0 percent (9-of-18) from the floor and 80.0 percent (12-of-15) from the free throw line to help Drake earn wins over Illinois State and Bradley. Friday at Illinois State, she scored 16 points, going 5-of-11 from the floor and making 6-of-8 at the free throw line with four rebounds, two blocks and one assist. In Sunday's victory at Bradley, Rhine finished with 15 points, going 4-of-7 from the floor, including knocking down 1-of-2 three-pointers along with making 6-of-7 from the free throw line. She added seven rebounds and one assist.
 
This season, Rhine leads the MVC in shooting percentage at 54.9 while averaging 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while averaging just 21.2 minutes per contest. Her scoring average ranks fourth in the league while her rebounding average is fifth. Rhine is shooting an impressive 81.9 percent from the free throw line and has made the second most free throws (77) in the MVC, behind her teammate Becca Hittner (85). She has scored double figures in 16 of the 19 games played for her this season. Rhine is an elementary education major with a 4.00 cumulative grade point average.
 
Rhine and her teammates host SIU Friday at the Knapp Center. Tipoff with the Salukis is scheduled for 7 p.m.

2017-18 Drake Missouri Valley Scholar-Athletes of the Week
Sept. 6 - Josh Yeager - Men's Cross Country
Sept. 13 - Kyle Brandt - Men's Cross Country
Oct. 4 - Kyla Inderski - Volleyball
Nov. 28 - Reed Timmer, Men's Basketball
Nov. 28 - Sara Rhine, Women's Basketball
Dec. 6 - Reed Timmer, Men's Basketball
Dec. 6 - Sara Rhine, Women's Basketball
Dec. 13 - Becca Hittner, Women's Basketball
Jan. 3 - Becca Hittner, Women's Basketball
Jan. 3 – Nick McGlynn, Men's Basketball
Jan. 10 – Becca Hittner, Women's Basketball
Jan. 10 – Reed Timmer, Men's Basketball
Jan. 17 – Sara Rhine, Women's Basketball
Jan. 17 – Nick McGlynn, Men's Basketball
Jan. 31 – Sara Rhine, Womens' Basketball