NEW YORK – Kristen Spoylar was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Monday afternoon after an announcement from the league office. Spoylar, a 5-10 guard hailing from Lebanon, Ind., averaged 18 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last week to earn the honor.
In Spoylar's Butler debut against East Tennessee State, the guard came off the bench to score a team-high 25-points. The freshman accounted for all but one of those points in the second half, shooting 46-percent from the floor and 11-12 from the charity stripe. Spoylar added seven rebounds, three steals and an assist in BU's season opening loss.
On Sunday, Spoylar made the move into the starting line-up for the Bulldogs against Bradley. She ended the game with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. The freshman played 35-minutes in the game and knocked down the first 3-pointer of her BU career.
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Jessica January, DePaul, Sr., G
The BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, Jessica January started her season out with a bang, leading No. 21/21 DePaul to a 2-0 record and garnering Maggie Dixon Classic MVP honors. The senior guard averaged 19.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 4.0 steals while shooting .556 from the floor and .400 from deep. In Friday's 31-point win over Appalachian State, January posted 14 points, five rebounds, seven assists and five steals. In Saturday's victory over UAB, January totaled 25 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Kristen Spolyar, Butler, Fr., G
In a 1-1 opening weekend for the Bulldogs, Spolyar was Butler's top scorer at 18.0 points per game, including a 25-point effort in her collegiate debut. The rookie guard totaled 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals in a nine-point setback to East Tennessee State on Friday. She followed that showing up with an 11-point, four-rebound, two-assist performance in Butler's 58-56 win over Bradley on Sunday. For the week, Spolyar averaged 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.5 assists and .429 shooting.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Sarah Beal, Providence, Sr., G
Beal led the Friars to a double-overtime win over Colgate in their season opener on Friday, totaling 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The veteran guard turned it on when she was needed most, scoring seven points in the overtime sessions, going 3-for-3 from the field.
Allazia Blockton, Marquette, So., G
Reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Allazia Blockton started 2016-17 with the hot hand, scoring 19 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing four assists as Marquette won comfortably over visiting Longwood, 87-37.
Raeshaun Gaffney, Xavier, R-Sr., G
Gaffney led Xavier to a win over Tennessee State in the Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic on Saturday, totaling 18 points and four steals, including a 9-of-10 clip from the charity stripe.
LaTecia Smith, Seton Hall, So., G
Smith led the Pirates to a season-opening win over Savannah State on Friday, posting a career-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds, five steals and three assists.
Jade Walker, St. John's, Sr., F
Walker led the Red Storm to the season-opening win at William & Mary on Sunday, totaling 18 points off 7-of-12 shooting and adding seven boards and four blocks.
