Spartanburg, S.C. -- The Southern Conference today named Western Carolina women’s basketball player Lauren Powell as the TIAA-CREF Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 7.

Powell, a sophomore from Asheville, N.C., averaged 20 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last week to help lead the Lady Catamounts to a 2-0 week.  The guard shot 56-percent, including 53.5-percent from behind the 3-point line.  She scored 21 points in Western’s 67-56 win over Davidson on Saturday.  Powell led all scorers with 19 points in the Lady Catamounts 77-68 victory over Appalachian State on Monday.

Off the court, Powell boasts a 3.937 GPA and is majoring in nutrition.  She is a member of the SoCon Honor Roll and received the Commissioner’s Medal in 2006.

Other top performers include Appalachian State’s Carleena Costner (women’s basketball), Georgia Southern’s Ashley Melson (women’s basketball) and UNCG’s Arielle VonStrolley (women’s tennis).

For more than 85 years, TIAA-CREF has been helping millions of people working in the academic, medical and cultural fields plan for their retirement. The organization’s clear and long-held commitment to serve those who dedicate themselves to the benefit and enlightenment of others remains unchanged.

With a non-profit heritage, TIAA-CREF has long subscribed to a different set of guiding principles. Principles directly influenced by the people they serve. With over $380 billion in combined assets as of June 30, 2004, their approach to investing goes beyond sound portfolio management. Visit TIAA-CREF.org or call 800-842-2776.