Cleaves is GCAC Player of the Week again
For immediate release . . . February 27, 2007

NEW ORLEANS — Jarryn Cleaves ended the regular season the way she started — as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

The Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball standout won the award for Feb. 19-25 after averaging 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals in road victories against William Carey and Dillard. She helped the Gold Nuggets reach 20 victories for the 14th time in 15 seasons and finish second in the GCAC standings.

Xavier, sparked by Cleaves' 10 consecutive points in the first half, rallied from a 13-point deficit for a 56-48 victory at William Carey on Thursday. Cleaves finished with 19 points. Two nights later, Cleaves led the Nuggets with 18 points in a 78-70 victory at Dillard and became the third NAIA Division I female to reach 60 3-pointers, 60 assists and 60 steals this season. The others are Jessica Richter of top-ranked Vanguard and Hilary Disch of Olivet Nazarene. Cleaves has 78 3-pointers (a Xavier season record), 60 assists and 66 steals.

Cleaves, a 5-foot-8 junior guard from Memphis, Tenn., earned the GCAC award for the second time this season. She was the league's initial winner for Nov. 6-12

Xavier (21-10) will play William Carey (10-15) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Barn in the quarterfinals of the GCAC Tournament. If the Nuggets win that game, they'll host SUNO or Spring Hill in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday.