Carson-Newman’s Shari Buford Named South Atlantic Conference Women’s Basketball Player Of The Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Senior forward Shari Buford has been named South Atlantic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, SAC officials announced Monday. Buford wins the award for the first time in her career as a Lady Eagle.

"It was a good week for her and the program," said Head Coach Dean Walsh. "That's what we expect from a senior, to come out and lead the team to wins. However, it's just four games into the season, so we hope our success will continue."

The Hampton, Ga., native had a remarkable opening week as she helped lead the Lady Eagles to a 4-0 start on the 2009-10 season. The Honorable Mention Preseason-All American averaged 14.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest, playing just over 22 minutes per outing. Buford also picked up 3.8 blocks and 3.0 steals per game, while shooting 55.8 percent from the floor and 81.8 percent from the charity stripe.

Buford pulled down 17 rebounds including a school-record 13 offensive boards against Anderson last Sunday (Nov. 15). She (and teammate Mandy Mendenhall) led all scorers Saturday evening with 21 points against King.

Carson-Newman is averaging 41.8 forced turnovers per game, and have had broken and tied the school-record with 24 steals already this season. The Lady Eagles are outscoring their opponents by 29.0 points per contest and have reached the 90-point mark twice so far.

The SAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week is voted on by the staff of the SAC league office.