Wittenmyer Named Big East Rookie Of The Week

2/28/2000

Freshman forward averaged 15.5 points, 7.0 rebounds last week for women's basketball.

PITTSBURGH - University of Pittsburgh freshman women's basketball player Mandy Wittenmyer, who has established herself as one of the Big East Conference's top freshmen and has been a key factor in the Panthers' success this season, has been named the Big East's Rookie of the Week for Feb. 26.

This marks the third Big East Rookie of the Week honor for Wittenmyer.

Wittenmyer, a native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., averaged 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds as the Panthers captured wins over Villanova and Georgetown. Her 15 points at Villanova led all scorers and she was the team's second-leading scorer versus Georgetown with 16.

A key factor in the 77-66 victory over Georgetown, Wittenmyer fueled a decisive scoring surge against the Hoyas, scoring six points and a block in a 13-0 run. Wittenmyer added a perfect 8-for-8 performance from the free-throw line while also recording two blocks, two steals and one assist.

A graduate of Cumberland Valley High, Wittenmyer has emerged as Pittsburgh's leading scorer and rebounder with 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and is second on the team with 35 steals. She is the Big East Conference's second-leading rebounder with 7.8 boards in league games, and is third in games overall.

Additionally, Wittenmyer has posted seven double-double performances this season to tie her for second in the Big East.

The Panthers, who are 16-10 overall (7-8 Big East), are experiencing their best season since 1994-95 when they finished with a 17-11 record. Pittsburgh's 16 victories already doubles its win total from all of last season when it finished at 8-19.