Washington Sophomore Guard Sami Whitcomb named U.S. Bank
Pac-10 Women's Basketball Player of the week

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.-- WASHINGTON sophomore guard *Sami Whitcomb *has been named the U.S. Bank Pac-10 Women's Basketball Player of the Week for Feb. 25-March 2, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.

Whitcomb, a native of Ventura, Calif., helped the Huskies earn a split with two Top-10 teams as Washington upset No. 7 California on Sunday, knocking the Bears out of contention for the Pac-10 title and securing the Huskies' berth as the No. 6 seed in the Pac-10 Tournament.

The sophomore averaged 15.0 points over the weekend, along with 5.5rebounds, but was the difference maker in the 74-66 upset of California as she poured in 24 points on 57.1 percent shooting, also hitting 5-of-9 three pointers.

With the game tied at 36-36 three minutes into the second-half, the Huskies went on a decisive 18-7 run, that included four Whitcomb three-pointers. Washington would never relinquish the lead.

Whitcomb's five three-pointers matched a career high, while her 24-point effort was her 15th double-figure scoring effort of the year.

The win over California marked Washington's first win over a ranked team since defeating then-No. 20 California in Berkeley last season in overtime, 79-76. It was the Huskies' first win over a Top-10 team since defeating No. 10 Stanford in 2005.

The victory over the Bears solidified Washington as the No. 6 seed in the Pac-10 Tournament, where it will face No. 3 seeded Arizona State on Sat., March 8 at 11 a.m.

The Player of the Week honor is the first of Whitcomb's career and the 27th for the Huskies all-time.

*ALSO NOMINATED:* *Ify Ibeke*, ARIZ;* Lauren Lacey*, ASU;* Alexis Gray-Lawson*, CAL;* Ellie Manou*, ORE;* Candice Wiggins*, STAN;* Lindsey Pluimer*, UCLA;* Camille LeNoir*, USC;* Katie Appleton*, WSU.

*2007-08 PAC-10 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: *Nov. 19- *Jayne Appel*, STAN; Nov. 26- *Nadia Parker*, USC; Dec. 3- *Ashley Walker*, CAL; Dec. 10- *Kirsten Thompson*, ASU; Dec. 17- *Candice Wiggins*, STAN; Dec. 24- *Candice Wiggins*, STAN; Dec. 31- *Sybil Dosty*, ASU; Jan. 6- *Devanei Hampton*, CAL; Jan. 14- *Ashley Walker*, CAL; Jan. 21- *Talisa Rhea*, OSU; Jan. 28- *Candice Wiggins*, STAN; Feb. 4- *Candice Wiggins*, STAN; Feb. 11- *Lindsey Pluimer*, UCLA; Feb. 18- *Jayne Appel*, STAN; Feb. 25- *Lauren Lacey*, ASU; March 3- *Sami Whitcomb*, WASH.