SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State forward Ashlen Dewart has been selected the Southern Conference women's basketball player of the week for all games played through January 11-17.
The sophomore from Spartanburg, S.C., helped lead the Mountaineers to a 2-0 record in conference play on the week with wins over then-league leading Samford and defending conference champion Chattanooga. Against Samford, the Mountaineers faced a 17-point halftime deficit, but behind 21 second-half points from Dewart, Appalachian State mounted a 12-point comeback win. After not scoring a point in the first half, Dewart scored 14 of her 21 points during a 21-7 run by the Mountaineers that proved to be the difference maker in the contest. She also hauled in seven rebounds against the Bulldogs. Dewart continued her impressive play in the next game against the Lady Mocs, scoring a game-high 28 points, shooting 11-for-19 from the field, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. The Mountaineer forward grabbed six rebounds against Chattanooga, as Appalachian State snapped its 26-game losing streak to its conference foe.
Dewart currently leads the SoCon in field goal percentage (.589), which ranks her 11th in the nation. She ranks second in the conference in scoring with 17.4 points per game.
Appalachian State travels to Davidson on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Other top performers in the opening week of play were Chattanooga's Whitney Hood, College of Charleston's Janae Smith, Davidson's Sophia Aleksandravicius, Elon's Lei Lei Hairston, Georgia Southern's MiMi DuBose, UNCG's Monique Floyd, Samford's Emily London and Western Carolina's Caitlin Hollifield.
2010-11 Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Nov. 17 Sam Ramirez, Appalachian State
Nov. 23 Ashlen Dewart, Appalachian State
Nov. 30 Whitney Hood, Chattanooga
Dec. 7 Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Dec. 14 Emily London, Samford
Dec. 21 Monique Floyd, UNCG
Jan. 4 Whitney Hood, Chattanooga
Jan. 11 Sam Ramirez, Appalachian State
Jan. 18 Ashlen Dewart, Appalachian State