Feb. 11, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Announced by the conference today, the Atlantic 10 has named La Salle University Women's Basketball player Carlene Hightower Co-Player of the Week, along with Temple's Ashley Morris, while Saint Joseph's Sarah Acker got the Rookie of the Week honor, marking for the first time all three Philadelphia A-10 schools were recognized on the weekly release.

 

Hightower helped the Explorers end a five-game losing streak with a 28-point outburst in a victory at Saint Louis, Sunday, which was preceded by a 22-point effort against Massachusetts last Wednesday. She averaged 25.0 points for the week on 55.6% shooting from the floor, 85.7% from three (6-7), and 80.0% from the foul line.

 

In both contests, the senior knocked down three three-point baskets, tying her career high, and added 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game during the week. This is Hightower's second A-10 Player of the Week nod this season and fourth of her career.

 

This season, she has nine games with at least 20 points - second-most in the conference - and 25 in her career. She just moved into the top 10 all-time in scoring at the school with 1,317 points. She currently ranks fourth in the A-10 in scoring (17.0 ppg), sixth in steals (1.91), 10th in free throw percentage (.769) and 14th in rebounding (6.3).

 

Joining her as A-10 Player of the Week was Morris, who averaged 23.5 points, 5.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds for the week, which included a career-high 32 points in a win over Charlotte on Feb. 6.

 

Taking the A-10 Rookie honor was Acker - her third of the season. She averaged a double-double for the week with 14.5 points and 11.5 rebounds and added 2.0 steals, 3.0 blocks, and 1.5 assists for the week.

 

Since the Explorers joined the A-10 Conference for the 1995-96 season, this is the first time that all three Philadelphia schools have been recognized in the same week. Six times the Philly schools had at least a Player and Rookie of the Week - La Salle was involved in three of them - twice teams shared a Rookie honor, once they shared a Player honor, and three times a school took both honors.

 

La Salle (10-14, 2-7 A-10) will look to win its second straight when they host Fordham on Saturday with a 1 PM tip.