Sophomore guard Sylvia Shephard (Alta Loma, Calif.) has been named Independent Women's Basketball Player of the Week by College Sports Madness for her performance in Seattle U's 90-79 road victory over Portland State on Feb. 9. This was the team's third straight victory on the road.
"Sylvia has worked very hard and is it gratifying to see her improvement this season," head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "She is a fantastic athlete and the sky is the limit with her potential."
Shephard notched career highs in both points and rebounds, leading the team with 23 points and 13 rebounds. She shot 6-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-4 from behind the three-point line, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.
This is Shephard's first such honor on the year. As a team, this is the seventh time the women's basketball team has received the honor and the second consecutive week Seattle U has received the recognition. Talisa Rhea (Juneau, Alaska) received the honor on Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 and Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) has been honored on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Jan. 3, and Feb. 6.
Shephard has appeared in all 23 games for the Redhawks thus far in 2011-12, with 19 appearances in the starting lineup in the last 20 games. She ranks third on the team in steals and scored in double figures in three straight games from Dec. 30 to Jan. 8.
Seattle University (14-9) returns home on Saturday, Feb. 18, for the first time in three games, to take on Utah Valley University, beginning at 4 p.m.