It’s been a week to remember for two of college basketball’s rising stars, as Duquesne’s Alexis Bordas and UAB’s Chance Westry both turned in head-turning performances that have earned them conference recognition and set the stage for the rest of their seasons. With the winter chill settling in, the hardwood action is only heating up—fans are buzzing about breakout games, record-chasing stats, and what these young athletes might accomplish next.
Let’s start in Pittsburgh, where Duquesne freshman guard Alexis Bordas has been nothing short of sensational. On December 22, 2025, Bordas was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the third time this season—no small feat for a first-year player. Her latest accolade comes on the heels of a performance that will be talked about for years in Duquesne basketball circles: a season-high 38 points in an 84–69 victory over Pitt in the annual City Game. The win was especially sweet for the Dukes, as it snapped a three-game losing streak and gave the squad a much-needed boost heading into the heart of the season.
Bordas’s stat line from that game reads like something out of a video game: 11-of-22 shooting from the floor (a crisp 50.0 percent), 10-of-18 from three-point range (a blistering 55.6 percent), and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. She didn’t just score, either—she added five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, showing off a well-rounded game that’s quickly becoming her trademark.
But it was in the second half where Bordas truly took over. She poured in 22 of her 38 points after halftime, connecting on 7-of-12 shots (58.3 percent) and an eye-popping 6-of-9 from beyond the arc (66.7 percent). The third quarter was her masterpiece: 14 points, 4-of-5 shooting, and a flawless 4-of-4 from deep. It’s the kind of stretch that electrifies fans and leaves opponents shaking their heads.
To put her performance in perspective, Bordas’s 38 points tied for the sixth-most in Duquesne program history and matched the highest single-game total in the Dan Burt coaching era. Her 10 made three-pointers rank second all-time at Duquesne, and her 18 attempts are the most ever in a game under Burt. Not bad for a freshman who’s still learning the ropes of Division I basketball!
“Alexis has been a spark for us all season, but what she did against Pitt was on another level,” said Duquesne head coach Dan Burt, according to the team’s official release. “She’s fearless out there, and her confidence is contagious.”
The numbers back it up. Through the season so far, Bordas is averaging 15.6 points per game—eighth-best in the Atlantic 10—along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Her shooting from deep has been a revelation: she’s averaging more than three three-pointers per game, ranking 11th nationally and first in the conference. Her 38 made threes put her 15th in NCAA Division I and third in the A-10, while her just-under 37.0 percent clip from long range is good for sixth in the league.
It’s not just the numbers making waves; Bordas is also making history. She’s the first Duquesne player since Kadri-Ann Lass to earn the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honor three times in a single season. That’s some elite company, and with plenty of games left, she may not be done collecting hardware.
Meanwhile, down south in Birmingham, another young guard is making his presence felt. Chance Westry of the University of Alabama at Birmingham was named to the American Conference weekly honors on December 22, 2025, after a pair of standout performances against Cleveland State and UNC Asheville. While Westry’s honor was an honorable mention, his numbers were anything but ordinary.
Westry kicked off his week with a monster game against Cleveland State, dropping 31 points and grabbing eight rebounds while shooting an eye-popping 12-of-15 from the field. That’s the kind of efficiency coaches dream about—Westry was nearly unstoppable, finding ways to score from all over the court. Over the two-game span, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, showing off the kind of all-around game that makes him a constant threat.
For the season, Westry is averaging 16.0 points and 4.2 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the key cogs in the UAB offense. The Blazers will need every bit of his production as they head into a crucial stretch of their schedule. Next up: a New Year’s Eve showdown against Wichita State at Bartow Arena, set for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff on ESPNU. With conference play about to begin, all eyes will be on Westry to see if he can keep up his stellar form and help UAB make a run in the American Conference.
“Chance has really come into his own,” said a UAB team spokesperson. “His ability to score and facilitate makes everyone around him better, and he’s been a leader on and off the court.”
Both Bordas and Westry are emblematic of a new generation of college basketball talent—players who can score in bunches, impact the game in multiple ways, and rise to the occasion when their teams need them most. Their recent performances have not only earned them personal accolades but have also provided their teams with crucial momentum at a pivotal point in the season.
For Duquesne, Bordas’s emergence as a go-to scorer and all-around playmaker gives the Dukes hope for a strong finish in the Atlantic 10, a league that’s always full of surprises. Her shooting prowess—especially from deep—forces defenses to stretch out, opening up opportunities for her teammates. And with the Rookie of the Week honors piling up, it’s clear she’s not just a flash in the pan.
UAB, on the other hand, will look to build around Westry’s consistency and leadership as they navigate the grind of conference play. His ability to take over games, as he did against Cleveland State, makes the Blazers a dangerous opponent for anyone. The upcoming clash with Wichita State will be a litmus test, not just for Westry but for the entire UAB squad as they aim to contend in the American Conference.
As the holiday season unfolds and the calendar turns to a new year, the stories of Alexis Bordas and Chance Westry serve as reminders of why college basketball captivates so many. It’s the promise of the next big performance, the chase for records, and the thrill of young athletes rising to the moment. With Bordas lighting it up for Duquesne and Westry leading the charge for UAB, fans have plenty to cheer about—and plenty to look forward to as the season rolls on.
With both teams set for critical games ahead, the spotlight will remain firmly on these standout guards. Whether it’s raining threes in Pittsburgh or filling up the stat sheet in Birmingham, Bordas and Westry are proving that the future of college basketball is in very capable—and exciting—hands.
