Marcedes Walker Earns Big East Freshman of the Week

2/21/2005

Walker averaged 19.5 points and 16.0 rebounds per game last week.

PITTSBURGH – For the second time this season, University of Pittsburgh freshman center Marcedes Walker has been named the Big East Conference Freshman of the Week, announced today by the league office. Walker also earned the honor earlier this year (Jan. 24) after leading Pittsburgh to consecutive wins over Seton Hall and Georgetown.

Arguably the top freshman in the Big East, Walker (Philadelphia, Pa./University City) averaged a double-double in two games for the Panthers last week. She posted 19.5 points and pulled 16 rebounds per game while shooting 57 percent from the field.

In Pittsburgh’s 63-47 victory over Providence this past Saturday, Walker poured in 23 points and grabbed 16 boards in 32 minutes of action. She hit 9-of-17 shots from the field as she helped the Panthers snap a six-game losing streak.

Earlier in the week, Walker finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds against West Virginia, both game highs. She hit 7-of-11 field goals and added two blocks versus the Mountaineers.

For the year, the 6-foot-3 Walker is leading the Big East in rebounding, pulling down 9.0 per game. She also leads Pittsburgh in scoring (13.5 avg.) and field goal percentage (49.6), which both lead all freshmen in the conference.

Walker has nine double-doubles on the year and has led Pittsburgh in scoring in six straight games. In Big East games, she is averaging 14.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while hitting 51 percent from the field.

Walker leads the Panthers against No. 11 Connecticut on Tuesday night at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. Tip-off is set for 7:50 p.m. and will be nationally televised by College Sports Television (CSTV) and locally televised in Storrs on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV).