Lester named Women's Basketball Player of the Week

Jan. 26, 2009

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler University junior Susan Lester has been named Horizon League Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the period of Jan. 19-25. The selection marks Lester's fourth career weekly honor from the League office and her first this season.

A native of Anderson, Ind., Lester recorded a career-high 31 points and yanked down six rebounds in Butler's 77-44 win over Valparaiso University on Friday. The forward made 11-of-19 from the floor, 5-of-8 from the three-point line and 4-of-6 from the free-throw stripe.

Lester outscored Valparaiso's entire team, 27-19, in the first half of the intrastate battle. She also nailed 10 field goals before the break, while the Crusaders knocked down just five.

Butler shot 70 percent (19-for-27) in the first half en route to a 48-19 advantage at intermission, and the Bulldogs held Valparaiso 22 points below its season average (65.9) for the contest.

The Bulldogs improved to 12-6 overall and 7-0 in the Horizon League with their eighth straight win. The victory was also Butler's fourth of at least 30 points this season.

Butler has kept its last eight opponents to 50 or fewer points -- the longest streak in school history.

The Butler men (9-0) and women (7-0) are a combined 16-0 in Horizon League play this season, which is the best Division I mark in the country.

The Butler women return to the hardwood on Thursday when they travel to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (15-3, 7-0). The winner of that contest will take over sole possession of first place in the Horizon League standings.