Colorado University Athletics
WANER NAMED BIG 12 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
DALLAS - University of Colorado freshman guard Emily Waner has been named the Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week for 2003-04 season opening games, the conference office announced Monday. It marks the first Big 12 Rookie of the Week for the Buffaloes since now-senior Tera Bjorklund earned the honor as a freshman for the week of Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2000.
"I am thrilled with Emily's performances so far this season," said head coach Ceal Barry. "She has played against four NCAA Tournament teams and has been producing very, very well. I am just thrilled for her, she really deserves this."
Waner's collegiate debut was a fine one against Old Dominion on Nov. 14, when she hit her first two shots, both three-pointers, en route to a team-high 17 points in the season opener. It was the third-best debut for a Colorado freshman ever, putting her behind only Lisa Van Goor (23 points) and Jamillah Lang (18 points) on the CU debut charts.
The very next night against then-No. 15 Notre Dame, Waner hit the gamewinning shot with 12 seconds left in overtime. Burying a three pointer from the right baseline, she gave Colorado the lead for good en route to a 67-63 win. She was named to the WBCA Classic All-Tournament Team.
She is averaging a solid 10.3 points per game in 32.0 minutes per game this season and earned her first career start against Minnesota, the first for a CU true freshman since Randie Wirt on Dec. 14, 2000. She responded with nine points on 3-4 shooting behind the arc, giving her 11 three's on the season and a .458 shooting percentage from downtown.
Waner and the rest of the No. 20 Buffaloes will be back in action this Friday, Nov. 28, when they host the 17th Annual Coors Classic. Lehigh will face Cal at 6 p.m. at the Coors Events Center, followed by Colorado and Idaho State at 8:15 p.m.