Jan. 5, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia's Lyndra Littles and Miami's Shenise Johnson were named Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for the week ending Jan. 4. Littles led the 15th-ranked Cavaliers to a trio of wins over Rider, Louisiana Tech and Georgia last week averaging 25.7 points. Johnson helped the Hurricanes improve their overall record to 10-4 after posting a 2-1 mark over the holiday break.

Littles, who returned after missing nine games during the fall semester, has put together five solid performances as the senior is currently averaging 21.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. The Washington, D.C., native averaged 25.7 points over three games last week, including a career-high 33 points and seven-rebound performance against Louisiana Tech en route to being named the Most Valuable Player of the Marriott Cavalier Classic on Dec. 29 at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers defeated Louisiana Tech, 68-52, to capture their fifth straight Cavalier Classic crown.

The Cavaliers also downed Georgia in their last outing, 62-60, on Jan. 2 at JPJA. Against Georgia, Littles finished 8-for-15 from the field and converted a crucial three-point play in the final minute of the game to lead the Cavaliers. The win marked the second victory over an SEC opponent this year, as UVa got the best of Tennessee on Nov. 17, 83-82, in Knoxville, Tenn. Virginia has now won seven consecutive games and is undefeated at home this year with a perfect 8-0 record.

Johnson continues her impressive rookie campaign as the Henrietta, N.Y, native gave a solid three all-around games, including one against No. 9/10 Auburn, the first ranked team Miami has faced this season. Against the Tigers, Johnson tied career-highs with 21 points and three blocks. Against Cornell, Johnson scored in single-digits for only the third time this season, but she racked up six steals to go along with six rebounds and four assists. The contest against Brown and Auburn came in the UM Holiday Tournament, where Johnson was named to the all-tournament team.

The weekly honor marks the first accolade of the season for Littles, who did not play for the Cavaliers until Dec. 18, while it marks the second honor for Johnson.

ACC action resumes action later today as Clemson travels to Miami to open the 2008-09 ACC slate. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET. Visit TheACC.com for more information, including a complete 2008-09 women's basketball schedule.