Feb. 25, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle University Women's Basketball player Carlene Hightower has been named the Player of the Week by both the Atlantic 10 Conference and the Philadelphia Big 5 for her efforts during a week when she averaged a double-double and helped the Explorers to a 1-1 record.

Hightower scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed a career-high tying 14 rebounds in the Explorers 64-54 victory at Rhode Island, Wednesday. She was 11-of-20 from the floor and knocked down four three-point baskets as she became the first Explorer since Jenn Cole (Feb. 25 & 27, 1993) to register back-to-back 30-point games.

She followed that with team-highs in points (13) and rebounds (8) as La Salle looked to upset one of the A-10's best in Xavier, Saturday, but fell short, 57-53. Hightower averaged 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the week.

The 30-point effort was Hightower's third of the season and fourth of her career, which is the most for a season or career at the school since Cole had five in the 1992-93 season and nine in her career (1989-93). She leads the A-10 in 30-point games and has 11 20-point games this year, tied for tops in the conference, and has 27 for her career.  

This is Hightower's third straight A-10 Player of the Week nod, the fourth of the season, and sixth of her career. She now matches Massachusetts' Kate Mills with the most honors this season and only two other players - Sabrina Gregory of Charlotte and Nikki Oakland of Dayton - have been named twice.

Hightower now has more A-10 Player of the Week honors than any other Explorer during a single season - Crista Ricketts (2006-07) three; and a career - Ricketts (2003-07) four.

Joining her as A-10 Player of the Week was Richmond's Johanna McKnight, while Xavier's Ta'Shia Phillips took her 11th A-10 Rookie of the Week honor.

In terms of Philadelphia Big 5 honors, this is Hightower's third of the season and the fifth of her career.

La Salle (12-15, 4-8 A-10) will take on Big-5 rival Saint Joseph's on Wednesday night in its final home game of the season at Tom Gola Arena starting at 7 PM.