Feb. 11, 2008

CHICAGO - Loyola sophomore point guard Keisha Collins (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic) was named Horizon League Player of the week after averaging 18.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 3.5 apg while shooting just under 65% from the field in two road games last week. Collins is the first Loyola player to earn the honor this season.

Loyola's floor general opened the week strong, knocking down 7 of 11 shots from the floor and all seven of her free throws en route to a career high 23 points as Loyola came within a defensive stop of pulling off the season sweep against Valparaiso in an eventual 69-62 setback. Collins showed off her all-around game on Saturday, racking up 13 points - including a pair of critical free throws with 5.4 seconds left - to go with five rebounds and five assists as the Ramblers notched their first road win of the season with an impressive 67-64 win at Butler.

Collins, who played for Loyola head coach Shannon Reidy at Marian Catholic before playing her first season of collegiate basketball at Southern Indiana, has been one of Loyola's most consistent players this season and is averaging 11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 4.5 apg in 21 games.