Dec. 1, 2003

CLEVELAND, Ohio-After busting out of a mini-slump and leading Miami University's women's basketball team (1-2, 0-0 MAC) to its first win of the 2003-04 campaign versus Saint Louis University, RedHawk sophomore guard Cindi Merrill (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) has been honored with her first Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week honor.

Merrill, who entered last Monday's game shooting just 27 percent from the field, busted out versus the Billikens, pouring in 6-of-9 shots from the floor and 9-of-10 free throws to tally a career-high 22 points. The sophomore, who played a team-high 30 minutes, also contributed five rebounds, three assists, two steals and connected on her only 3-point attempt. As a team, Miami blistered the usually stout Saint Louis defense with 49 percent shooting from the field and connected on a season-high 26-of-32 free throws.

The award is the first for Merrill and the first of the season for the RedHawks. Since head coach Maria Fantanarosa arrived as Miami's head coach prior to the 1998-99 season, Miami players have earned the league's player of the week award 21 times.

Miami returns to action this weekend when it travels to Berkeley, Calif., for the Oakland Tribune Classic. The RedHawks match up with tournament host California at 3 p.m. on Saturday and will face either Tulane or Wichita State on Sunday at 1 p.m.