Nov. 30, 2009

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Sophomore Alex Cowling took home her second career West Coast Conference Player of the Week award, having earned the honor for November 23-29 after gaining All-Tournament recognition at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside Thanksgiving Classic. Cowling averaged 21.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game on 58% shooting to help the Lions finish as runners-up. Cowling shares this week's award with Miranda Ayim of Pepperdine.

Cowling (Benicia, Calif.) recorded her second double-double of season on Friday with 23 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting (3-of-4 from 3-point range) in LMU's 87-61 semifinal win over Saint Louis. She followed that with 19 points and seven rebounds on 6-of-12 (2-of-5 3-pt.) in an overtime loss to South Florida in the championship game. Cowling's 42 points in the tourney were tied for the fourth-most in the Thanksgiving Classic's 13-year history.

Cowling, a 5-11 guard/forward, leads the Lions in scoring and rebounding this season with 15.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg, respectively. She has been the team's top scorer in four of the six games thus far in the 2009-10 season, including each of the last three contests. The nation's top freshman last season in field goal percentage at 54.2%, Cowling is shooting 50% (33-for-66) from the floor this year and is knocking down 87% (20-for-23) at the free throw line.

LMU (3-3) takes on a pair of Western Athletic Conference schools this week. On Wednesday, the Lions travel to San Jose State at 7 p.m. They return home to Gersten Pavilion on Saturday to host reigning WAC champions Fresno State at 2 p.m.