West Florida's Patterson Named GSC Player Of The Week :: The Freshman guard turned up the defensive intensity this week, and it led to 45 points on offense.

The Freshman guard turned up the defensive intensity this week, and it led to 45 points on offense.

Jan. 10, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Gulf South Conference has announced its women's basketball players of the week for games from January 1 thru January 8th. In the East Division, West Florida guard Chelsea Patterson captured her first ever honor. In the West, Arkansas Tech center Ruby Vaden received the award, and it was also her first player of the week award.

West Florida guard Chelsea Patterson (Fr., 5-5, Largo, Fla.) was named the East Division Player of the Week for her outstanding performances in two Argonaut games this week. Although the Argonauts went 1-1 on the week, Patterson elevated her game to earn this week's honors. The freshman guard averaged 22.5 points per game, while also picking up six rebounds. In a 72-66 loss to #10 Southern Connecticut State, she had 28 points, connecting on 14-of-16 from the free throw line. Patterson also had three assists and a block in 35 minutes on the floor. On defense, the freshman had three steals for the week. In the win over Plam Beach Atlantic, Patterson scored 17 points in only 18 minutes of playing time.

Patterson is leading the Argonauts in scoring this season, with a 13.2 average. She also leads the team in steals with 34 so far in 15 games, and is second on the team with 43 assists. This is the first GSC player of the week this season for the West Florida women, and the 28 points vs. southern Connecticut State was a season high for an Argonaut this year. Patterson now has three games with 20 or more points, as she scored 20 in the season opening loss to Florida Southern, and tallied 27 points in an overtime win vs. Mobile, earlier this year.

The Argonauts are 7-8 on the season and begin conference play this weekend, when North Alabama comes to town. The Argonauts take on the Lions in a men's and women's doubleheader on Saturday at the UWF Fieldhouse. The men tip-off at 2:30, and the women's game follows at 4:30 pm. The games will be broadcast on Stretch Internet. To listen to the contest, go to the UWF athletics home page (www.goargos.com) and find the stretch internet link on the right column.