Jan. 26, 2009
SAN DIEGO - After averaging a double-double in two key victories last week, Aztec sophomore center Paris Johnson (San Diego, Calif.) has been named the Mountain West Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The award is Johnson's second this season and third of her career, while it is the fourth overall for San Diego State in 2008-09.
Last Wednesday, Johnson led the Aztecs to the program's first win over New Mexico since 2001 and first victory in Albuquerque since 1995. Johnson had a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds with seven of her 11 boards coming in the second half, including two in the final seven seconds. The San Diego High School alum hit two free throws with three seconds remaining to secure the 57-52 upset of the No. 23 Lobos, who entered the game with a perfect 11-0 record at home.
Three days later, Johnson tallied her second double-double in a row with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in only 27 minutes of action in a 56-36 win over BYU. She scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half to give the Aztecs a 12-point halftime advantage.
For the year, she has seven double-doubles and leads the Aztecs in both scoring (15.2 ppg.) and rebounding (8.6 rpg.). Johnson ranks first in the Mountain West Conference in blocked shots with 2.41 per game and in offensive rebounds with 3.41 a contest.
The sophomore also was named MWC player of the week back on Dec. 29, and joins junior guard Jené Morris (San Francisco, Calif.) as a two-time winner this season for the Aztecs.
San Diego State continues with its Mountain West Conference schedule this week with a road game at TCU on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT and a home contest vs. Colorado State at 2 p.m. PT on Saturday. Wednesday's outing will be televised live on The Mtn.
San Diego State's 2008-09 MWC Players of the Week
Dec. 22 - Jené Morris
Dec. 29 - Paris Johnson
Jan. 5 - Jené Morris
Jan. 29 - Paris Johnson