Feb. 23, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech center Kierra Mallard was selected the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week by a media voting panel for games of Feb. 16-22. It is Mallard's second time to receive this honor.

Mallard averaged 6.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in Tech's games last week against No. 2 Oklahoma and at Oklahoma State. The Dallas, Texas, native scored five points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out a career-high three assists and added a steal in Tech's eight point loss to OU. In the win at Oklahoma State, Mallard had seven points, 11 rebounds and a block. Her 11 rebounds marked the seventh time this season she has recorded double-digit rebounds, six of those coming during Big 12 play. For the year, Mallard leads the Lady Raiders in rebounding with an 8.2 average and is third on the team in scoring at 9.7 and second in blocks with 29.

Courtney Paris of Oklahoma was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Player of the Week.

The Lady Raiders travel to Waco, Texas, to face No. 6/5 Baylor on Wed., Feb. 25, at 7 p.m.