WASHINGTON — The Atlantic 10 Conference has named Saint Joseph’s junior Gabby Casey as the Under Armour Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. Loyola Chicago freshman Alex-Anne Bessette was chosen as the league’s Rookie of the Week. The awards were announced on Monday for games played from Jan. 19 - Jan. 25.

Saint Joseph’s played just one game last week, but Casey put together unparalleled numbers in limited action. The guard from Quakertown, Pa., logged a 26-point, 10-rebound double double against Duquesne, adding five assists, one steal, and one block. Casey shot 9-of-12 from the field, knocking down five 3-pointers. Saint Joseph’s took down Duquesne 72-53 in road territory behind Casey’s performance, the Hawks’ fourth league victory this season.

Bessette led Loyola Chicago to a pair of victories last week, posting the strongest performances of her rookie campaign in the process. The guard/forward from Québec City, Québec averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across both matchups, shooting 48.6 percent from the floor. Bessette scored 18 points with two steals in a 64-60 comeback win over La Salle, including two key baskets during a decisive fourth-quarter run. She posted career highs of 23 points and eight rebounds in a 74-59 road win at Saint Louis, the Ramblers’ fifth victory of their last six games.

HONOR ROLL
Davidson guard Kyra Bruyndoncx averaged 17.5 points per game while shooting 56.3 percent from behind the arc last week, scoring a game-high 18 points against VCU knocking down five 3-pointers … Dayton’s Olivia Leung scored a season-high 15 points including three 3-pointers in a win over Duquesne before adding 13 points against Rhode Island … La Salle freshman Kiara Williams scored 20 points at Loyola Chicago before tallying 10 points and six rebounds in the Explorers’ win over St. Bonaventure …  Rhode Island center Albina Syla led the Rams to a Sunday victory over Dayton with a 15-point, 11 rebound double double, helping push Rhode Island’s win streak to 12 consecutive games … Rhode Island rookie Vanessa Harris played a key role in both of the Rams’ wins last week, scored 12 points against Davidson followed by 11 points at Dayton … Saint Louis guard Alexia Nelson averaged 18.5 points per game across two matchups, scoring a team-high 19 points in 42 minutes during Saint Louis’ overtime victory at Fordham … Billikens rookie Alyssa Koerkenmeier tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and four blocks against Fordham before recording 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks against Loyola Chicago … St. Bonaventure rookie Mallory Heise tallies 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes off the bench against La Salle on Saturday.
 

DATE		OFFENSIVE	ROOKIE
Nov. 10	Zahirah Walton, GM Maggie Doogan, UR		Alexis Bordas, DUQ
Nov. 17	Maggie Doogan, UR		Patricia Augustin, VCU
Nov. 24	Maggie Doogan, UR Alexis Black, FOR		Vanessa Harris, URI
Dec. 1	Zahirah Walton, GM		Alexis Bordas, DUQ
Dec. 8	Katie Donovan, DAV		Jahda Denis, SLU
Dec. 15	Maggie Doogan, UR		Jahda Denis, SLU
Dec. 22	Maggie Doogan, UR		Alexis Bordas, DUQ
Dec. 29	Alexia Nelson, SLU		Alyssa Koerkenmeier, SLU
Jan. 5	Zahirah Walton, GM		Vanessa Harris, URI
Jan. 12	Maggie Doogan, UR		Alex-Anne Bessette, LUC Alyssa Koerkenmeier, SLU
Jan. 19	Rachel Ullstrom, UR		Alyssa Koerkenmeier, SLU
Jan. 26	Gabby Casey, SJU		Alex-Anne Bessette, LUC