Pair of Bearcats Named BIG EAST Rookies of the Week

Feb. 20, 2006

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The UC basketball teams swept this week's BIG EAST Rookie of the Week Awards, as Devan Downey earned his third honor and Shelly Bellman received her second.

Downey averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals last week. In the 82-65 victory at Syracuse on Feb. 15, Downey had 16 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while connecting on 7 of 13 from the field as the Bearcats rolled to their biggest road win of the year at the Carrier Dome. Two nights later (Feb. 17) at Fifth Third Arena against Providence, Downey again tallied 16 points and added four rebounds, four steals, and made the game-winning free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining to give the Bearcats a thrilling 66-64 win.

Shelly Bellman

Bellman averaged 10.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in Cincinnati's wins over West Virginia and Louisville last week. In the 56-46 win over the Mountaineers, the Ottawa, Ohio native grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, the most by a Bearcat this season, and added six points and two steals. When UC defeated Louisville, 76-65, the rookie guard scored 15 points with six rebounds and was 2-of-3 from three-point range.

Additionally, UC swingman James White was also recognized by the league on Monday. White, who averaged 20.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, while shooting 58 percent from the field and 63 percent from three-point range, was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll. The 6-7 White scored 18 points and had five rebounds and four assists in the win at Syracuse. White capped off his stellar week with a game-high 22 points, including four three-pointers, and seven rebounds in the victory over Providence.