Cook Named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week

March 1, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - University of Cincinnati freshman Kayla Cook (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) has been named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday (March 1).

Cook averaged 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in three games last week. The guard shot 11-of-17 from the floor (.647) and 6-of-7 from three-point range (.857), while hitting on 7-of-10 from the free throw line.

She scored 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including 2-of-2 from deep and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe against Syracuse on Feb. 22. Cook then poured in a career-high 18 points on a perfect and career-best 4-of-4 from downtown and 5-of-6 from the free throw lineat No. 8/7 Notre Dame. She also added a career-best three steals against the Irish.

In UC's upset of No. 20/22 Marquette on Monday (Feb. 28), Cook totaled four points, a rebound and two assists.

UC's top freshman performer, she is averaging 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while ranking in the Top 10 in the BIG EAST with 33.3 minutes played per game. She has started all 28 games this season.

The Bearcats will open the BIG EAST Championship on Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m. against West Virginia in the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.