Feb. 14, 2008

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Sports Writers Association dubbed junior Ryan Bathie with player of the week honors for his performances this week against Lamar and McNeese State.

Bathie was instrumental in both contests as he averaged over 20.5 points in both overtime contest. The Melbourne, Australia native led the Colonels to victory over the Cowboys on Cox Sports Television this past Saturday as he scored 19 points in the 74-71 overtime win. The victory ended the Colonels seven-game losing streak.

The Colonels face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi tonight in Stopher Gym at 6:30 p.m.

The release from the LSWA is below.

Nicholls State Ryan Bathie and LSU's Sylvia Fowles were named the Men's and Women's Player of the Week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, it was announced on Thursday.

Ryan Bathie, a 6-6 junior for the Colonels, averaged 20.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg last week. After playing arguably the most competitive games in the Southland Conference this week and definitely the closest with both games being decided by four points of less in overtime, the Colonels finally ended their losing streak in large part of Bathie. Bathie averaged 20.5 points for the week, but none were bigger than his 19 that he scored at McNeese State that was televised live on Cox Sports Television. The Melbourne, Australia native was playing in front of his parents and sister for the first time in his collegiate career.

Fowles, a 6-6 senior center for the Lady Tigers, averaged 21.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in LSU's victories over Alabama and No. 24 Georgia during the week. She recorded her 11th and 12th double doubles of the season and the 73rd and 74th of her career when she posted 24 points and 11 boards at Alabama on Thursday and scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Georgia on Sunday. Fowles scored 14 of her game-high 24 in just seven minutes of playing time in the second half at Alabama, including the first nine points of the half for the Lady Tigers. The senior also connected on a career-high 10 free throws against the Crimson Tide and attempted a career-high 16. Fowles scored 11 of her 19 in the opening half against Georgia and grabbed nine of her 15 boards in the opening 20 minutes.

The LSWA selects a weekly Player of the Week for men's and women's basketball from a list of nominations submitted by the state schools.

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