Jan. 22, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - After recording her first career double-double and leading Illinois State's women's basketball team to an 89-81 win at Indiana State, junior center Lashawn Johnson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week. It is the first career weekly honor for Johnson and the league-high seventh plaudit for an ISU player this season.
Johnson tallied a career-best tying 15 points and 12 rebounds against the Sycamores (Jan. 19), helping the Redbirds improve to a perfect 7-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Johnson was 7-for-10 from the field, dished out a career-best six assists, and 10 of her 12 rebounds came on the defensive end in 31 minutes. Johnson also recorded a block and steal in the victory.
Head coach Robin Pingeton has been pleased with the development of Johnson, not only this season, but throughout her career.
"Lashawn had a very good night for us (against Indiana State), but she has been great for us all year," said Pingeton. "She has come so far from where she was at as a freshman to where she is now as a junior. She has been locked in all season, has stayed the course, and is one of our hardest workers in practice. I can't say enough about how proud I am of how Lashawn has stepped up this year."
Johnson has recorded career highs in points (15), rebounds (12) and minutes played (33) this season. The Chicago native has started 13 of Illinois State's 18 games, and is averaging 7.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest.
