Palmer all but cemented her status as the NEC’s scoring leader, a title she’s held for nine weeks running, during what was the next-to-last weekend of regular season conference play. The senior forward poured in 54 points in two games against top-tier competition. Palmer averaged 27.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in contests with league leaders Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart, teams that own a combined 26-6 conference record. The former NEC Rookie of the Year (2009) shot 50 percent (20-of-40) from the floor and connected on 11 of 12 free throws (.917) over the two-game clip. She accounted for 29 of the Blackbirds’ 51 points in a three-point overtime loss to Quinnipiac. Palmer’s performance against the Bobcats, which also included 10 rebounds and a trio of steals, marked the veteran player’s eighth double-double of the season. Two nights later, Palmer went for 25 points and eight rebounds to lead LIU Brooklyn past Sacred Heart, which had won six of its last seven coming into the contest. The 5-foot-10 forward carried the Blackbirds down the stretch, scoring six of the team’s final seven points in the 74-68 triumph. The Choice Hotels NEC Player of the Week award is Palmer’s fifth of the season, but first in six weeks. Palmer stands 12 points and 19 rebounds shy of becoming only the second player in NEC women’s basketball history to log 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She would join NEC Hall of Famer Jess Zinobile (SFPA).