Jan. 3, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - Averaging 18.7 points per game and earning Hawk Classic MVP honors, Saint Joseph's junior guard Katie Kuester was recognized for her stellar play as she earned Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Co-Player of the Week and Big 5 Women's Basketball Player of the Week accolades, conference officials announced on Monday.

Helping the Hawks to a 2-1 mark on the week, Kuester began last week scoring a team-high 14 points in a 67-66 win over New Hampshire in the opening game of the 20th Annual Hawk Classic. Going 4-of-7 from behind the arc and 2-of-2 from the line, she added three rebounds, an assist and a block as the Hawks advanced to the title game against Lafayette.

In the Hawks' win over the Leopards, Kuester started strong, scoring 10 of her then-career-high 19 points in the first half. She finished 7-of-9 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, to go with three rebounds, an assist and a steal en route to MVP honors.

Saint Joseph's co-captain finished the week strong against the nationally-ranked Maryland Terrapins. Playing a team-best 38 minutes, Kuester poured in a game and career-best 23 points to go with four assists and three rebounds in the hard-fought 74-60 loss to #18 Maryland.

For the week, Kuester shot 53.3 percent from the field (16-of-30) and connected on 54.2 percent from behind the arc (13-of-24), while averaging three rebounds and two assists per game. She shares the Atlantic 10 weekly award with Charlotte's Epiphany Woodson.

Kuester and the Hawks open Atlantic 10 play this Saturday at Saint Louis. Game time is set for 8 p.m. EST.