Monday, December 26, 2005

Macon, Ga. -- For the second consecutive week, a player from Mercer is named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week. Sarah Russell (St. Simon's Island, Ga./Communications) earns her first POTW honor.

In a 70-62 overtime victory over the University of New Orleans, Russell posted her first career double-double with a 14-point, 10-rebound performance. She scored six of her 14 points in overtime to lift the Bears past New Orleans. The junior forward is just the second Mercer player to receive the award since 2003-04 season.

The Bears are on a two-game non-conference winning streak and look to make it three when they face Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla., on Dec. 29 at 1 p.m.

The Atlantic Sun Conference announces the Player of the Week every Monday during the 2005 women's basketball campaign.

The 11-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Florida Atlantic, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson.

Other Top Performers

Alysha Clark, BEL (Fr. - F - Mt. Juliet, Tenn. - Psychology) -- Clark averaged in the double figures for the eighth time this season during Belmont road trip to Virginia. The 5-10 forward averaged 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the week.

Tamara Hubbard, UNF (Jr. - G - Jacksonville, Fla. - Psychology) -- Hubbard scored 15 points in the Lady Ospreys' only outing of the week at Indiana. She finished the contest against the Hoosiers 3-of-4 beyond the 3-point arc and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.