Jan. 23, 2007

Independent Women's Basketball Weekly Release
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IPFW National Ranking Summary
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Fargo, ND - IPFW's Ashley Johnson was named Independent Player of the Week as voted on by sports information directors of Independent institutions. IPFW continues to hold strong in the national rankings as a team and individually this week.

Johnson Named Player of the Week
Johnson averaged 27.5 points and 6 rebounds per game to lead the Mastodons to a 1-1 record last week with a 82-75 win over Butler and a 79-74 loss to Belmont.

She was 19-of-32 from the field for 59.4 percent and 5-of-7 from the arc for 71.4 percent. At the line, she was 12-of-15 for 80 percent. Johnson added 10 assists and two steals for the week.

Against Butler, Johnson hit season highs in points (31), 3-pointers made (4), free throws made (9) and rebounds (8) in playing all 40 minutes. Against Belmont, Johnson had 24 points, four boards and five assists as the `Dons came back from a 23-point deficit to the Bruins.

For her career, she is just eight points away from 1,000 career points.

Others nominated included: Lisa Bue, North Dakota State; Keiva Small, Longwood; Laura Thomas, UC Davis; and Chandra Timberlake, Chicago State.

National Rankings
The Mastodon defense once again ranks in the top 100  in multiple categories. The 'Dons are 91st in the nation in field-goal percentage defense with 38.4%. Duke takes top honors with 30.3%. IPFW is 95th in the nation in blocked shots per game, averaging 3.6. In steals the ladies average 9.8 per game to rank 93rd. IPFW has also decreased their number of turnovers to rank in the top 100. They currently average 16.8 per game to rank 86th while Marist holds the top, only averaging 11.3 turnovers per game.

Offensively, the Mastodons are ranked in the top 100 in two categories. The 'Dons are 60th in the nation in three-pointers per game with 5.7. Their free-throw percentage of 71.5% ranks IPFW 81st in the nation.

Individually, Johnson and Johnna Lewis-Carlisle continue to hold strong in the individual national rankings.

Johnson is 79th in the nation in free-throw percentage. She currently hits 81.8% of her shots while Julie Briody of New Mexico is hitting 94.6% of her shots.

Lewis-Carlisle made a big leap in three-point field-goal percentage this week. She is currently 29th in the nation, hitting 41.4% of shots from the arc. Lewis-Carlisle is 64th in three-pointers per game, averaging 2.3 per game. She is currently averaging 17.1 ppg to rank 68th in the nation.

Defensively, Lewis-Carlisle is 60th in steals per game. She is currently averaging 2.6 steals per game.

                                                     ~Dons~