March 3, 2008

CINCINNATI - Xavier women's basketball freshman standout Ta'Shia Phillips has earned her 12th Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Honor this season, tying teammate Amber Harris' mark set last season. 

The achievement of 12 Rookie of the Week awards is an Atlantic 10 record that includes every sport in the conference. Xavier set the mark last season with Amber Harris and continues their success this season with freshman center Ta'Shia Phillips.

Phillips averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 51.6 percent in a 1-1 week for the Musketeers. She scored 16 points and was one rebound shy of her 18th double-double this season on Wednesday vs. Dayton. 

She followed that performance with a 19-point, 17-rebound effor in XU's 60-57 win at Saint Bonaventure on Sunday.  The double-double was Phillips' 17th of the year, the most of any freshman in the country.  Phillips now has 328 rebounds on the season, a new single-season school record.

Xavier (21-8, 11-3 A-10) has earned a #3 seed Xavier for the 2008 Atlantic 10 tournament.  The seed gives Xavier, the defending A-10 Champs, a bye for the fourth straight year to open their bid for a second straight Championship. The Musketeers will face the winner of #6 Saint Joseph's and #11 Saint Louis on Saturday, March 8 at 6 p.m.