Jan. 11, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Three days after claiming her second Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week award of the season, Illinois State sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone added another individual honor to her resume, as she was tabbed the Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week by the league office. It is Cirone's second such award this season, and the ninth time in her career that she has received weekly recognition by the Valley office.
Cirone, who carries a 3.37 grade-point-average in ISU's exercise science curriculum, averaged 27.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and three assists per game while shooting at a 59 percent clip from the field and an 83 percent mark from the free throw line in two back-to-back road wins over previously undefeated (MVC play) Southern Illinois and Evansville last week.
Against the Salukis, Cirone poured in a game-high 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting (.727) from the field and a 9-of-11 (.818) effort from the free throw line. She also pulled down four defensive rebounds, and added five steals on the defensive end.
In the first-place showdown victory over Evansville, Cirone scored 27 points again, connecting on nine field goals, including three from three-point range. She also had three rebounds and three assists to just one turnover in the game.
ISU head coach Robin Pingeton was pleased that Cirone's achievements not only on the court, but also in the classroom, are garnering recognition.
"The recognition that Kristi has received for her efforts both on and off the court is just further proof of how valuable of a player she is, and how she has been so instrumental in helping take our program to the next level," said Pingeton. "She is extremely focused in the classroom, and continues to improve her game each day in practice and in the off-season. Kristi is just an absolute pleasure to coach; she is a great teammate, and an incredible leader. Our team will go as far as she leads us this season."
To qualify for Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.00, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
The Redbirds will jump back into Valley play by hosting Wichita State tonight, and Missouri State Saturday afternoon (4:05 p.m.) from Redbird Arena.
