University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Johnson Earns LSWA Player of the Week
12/21/2010 12:08:00 AM | Women's Basketball
University of Louisiana junior forward Mercedes Johnson was tabbed as the Louisiana Sports Writer's Association Women's Basketball Player of the Week on Monday, becoming the second UL player to earn the honor this season.
The accolade was the first for Johnson this season and the second for the University of Louisiana. Last week, Jasmine Barnes was named LSWA Women's Basketball Player of the Week for her 21-point performance at Centenary on Dec. 12.
Johnson tallied 46 points for an average of 15.3 points per game in three contests last week. She also pulled in a team-best 33 rebounds for an average of 11.0 per contest. The forward made 45 percent of her shots, making 18-of-40 from the field.
The Houston native recorded 14 points and six boards in the heart-breaking 63-61 loss to Bethune-Cookman. Johnson led Louisiana with 15 points against the SSU Lady Tigers, pulling in eight boards, picking three steals and dishing out two assists.
On Sunday, Johnson inked 19 rebounds against New Orleans, setting a career-best mark and breaking a 24-year old Cajundome record set by Aronji Johnson in 1985. Offensively, Johnson tallied 17 points, recording her first double-double of the season.
Johnson leads UL with 10 games in double-figures. She is averaging 14.1 points per game with a team-best 6.4 rebounds per contest this season. The junior is just 38 points away from becoming the 14th player in school history to reach the 1,000-points mark.
Louisiana (7-5) is off to its best start since the 2006-07 campaign and look to continue that trend with a three game road trip. UL will conclude non-conference action on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Southeastern Louisiana before opening Sun Belt Conference play at Denver (Dec. 29) and North Texas (Jan. 1).
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
