Sanders Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week

Jan. 19, 2009

PROVIDENCE - University of Cincinnati point guard Shanasa Sanders (Jacksonville, Fla./Ribault Senior) has been named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week following her outstanding performance in the Bearcats' 72-62 win against Seton Hall on Jan. 17.

Sanders scored a career-high 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including a career-best four 3-pointers against the Pirates. She grabbed a career-best nine rebounds, added four assists and committed just one turnover, playing the full 40 minutes. Sanders also shot 5-of-6 from the free throw line, including 3-of-4 late in the game to seal the victory for the Bearcats.

Sanders has started all 17 games this season, averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in her true freshman campaign.

Sanders is the first Bearcat to earn a player of the week award from the BIG EAST this season. Angel Morgan (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North) and Kahla Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) have each been named to the league's weekly honor roll in 2008-09.

The Bearcats, 3-1 in BIG EAST play, are off to their best start since joining the nation's top women's basketball conference in 2005. They travel to Louisville to take on the No. 7/11 Cardinals on Tuesday, Jan. 20.