Nov. 29, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland women's basketball freshman Laura Harper was named ACC Rookie of the Week, which was announced today. A forward, she averaged 12.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in two games at the Coors Classic over the Thanksgiving weekend.

In the Terps' close loss to No. 2 LSU in Boulder, Colo., Harper (Elkins Park, Pa.) tallied season highs of 17 points and 16 rebounds, posting her second-consecutive double-double. She followed up with nine rebounds and three blocks in Maryland's win over Penn en route to all-tournament honors.

Harper earns the award for the first time in her career. A starter in every game, she is averaging a double-double on the season with 12.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

After earning a split at the Coors Classic, Maryland is rated 22nd in this week's Associated Press Poll, ranking in the top 25 for the fourth-consecutive week. LSU took over the top spot this week with 1,098 votes. ACC foe North Carolina rose to No. 2 and Duke remains at No. 10.

The Terps, who are 3-1 on the season, return to Comcast Center to host in-state rival Loyola on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

Associated Press Top 25 Poll
Nov. 29
 1. LSU (42)               7-0  1,098  2
 2. North Carolina (1)     5-0    996  5
 3. Notre Dame             6-0    948  6
 4. Tennessee              4-1    923  1
 5. Stanford               5-0    919  7
 6. Georgia                4-1    857  3
 7. Texas (1)              2-2    840  4
 8. Connecticut            1-1    805  8
 9. Baylor                 3-1    777  9
10. Duke                   5-1    726 10
11. Ohio St.               5-1    669 11
12. Texas Tech             1-1    529 12
13. Vanderbilt             4-0    527 14
14. Purdue                 3-0    496 15
15. Michigan St.           4-1    493 13
16. Rutgers                4-0    395 17
17. DePaul                 4-0    388 19
18. Minnesota              4-1    364 18
19. Kansas St.             3-1    306 16
20. Boston College         3-1    294 20
21. Louisiana Tech         2-0    188 23
22. MARYLAND               3-1    169 22
23. TCU                    5-1    147  -
24. Villanova              3-1     90 24
25. UCLA                   3-1     88  -

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma 84, Arizona 41, Iowa 27, N.C. State 18, Oklahoma St. 17, Houston 16, Utah 12, Arizona St. 8, New Mexico 8, Wis.-Green Bay 8, Richmond 6, Middle Tennessee 4, Penn St. 4, Chattanooga 3, Montana 3, West Virginia 3, Temple 2, Washington 2, Iowa St. 1, Oregon 1.