Dec. 3, 2001

OXFORD, Ohio-Following a remarkable weekend in which she averaged 22.5 points per game and led Miami to wins over Valparaiso University and Butler University, Miami University point guard Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) has been honored as the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week.

Cusick, who earned the honor for the fourth time in her career, was instrumental in both Miami victories during the week. Versus Valparaiso, Cusick poured in a season-high 23 points, including an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer that sent the game into overtime. The junior added four points in overtime, including a key bucket with 13 seconds left in the extra period as Miami won 77-74. Cusick added six assists and three 3-point baskets in the defeat of the Crusaders and shot 8-of-17 from the field.

Versus Butler, an 86-68 win, Cusick enjoyed her best shooting performance of the season, draining 9-of-13 shots on the way to 22 points. The Kokomo, Ind., native hit 4-of-5 3-point baskets on the night while contributing five assists and four steals to the winning effort. For the weekend, she drained an impressive 57 percent of her shots from the field and 58 percent of her 3-point tries.

The only Miami player to earn all-MAC accolades in each of her first two seasons, Cusick has started 59 consecutive games as the RedHawk point guard. She currently ranks among Miami's career Top 10 for assists, 3-point field goals and free throw percentage, and is on pace to become the 13th Miami women's basketball player to reach 1,000 career points.

Cusick and Miami, which stands at 3-2 on the season, return to the hardwood at 7 p.m. Wednesday, when the RedHawks look to end a five-game losing skid versus the University of Kentucky Wildcats.