Nov. 17, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Duke's Chante Black and Georgia Tech's Mo Bennett were named Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week after leading their respective squads to successful 2008-09 season openers last week. Black helped the eighth-ranked Blue Devils to a 2-0 start, including an impressive 77-68 win over 14th-ranked Oklahoma State, while Bennett tallied 27 points in her first two collegiate debuts, including 19 at top-ranked Connecticut.

In Duke's season opener against Oklahoma State, Black registered a career-high 28 points to go along with 10 rebounds in only 36 minutes of action. The senior posted her 18th double-double of her career and her third straight double-double dating back to last season en route to leading the Blue Devils to a 77-68 victory in Cameron Indoor. In the contest, Black hit 13-of-17 field goals and blocked four shots.

On Sunday against non-conference foe Maine, Black registered a game-high 16 points, seven rebounds, four blocks, two steals and two assists in only 20 minutes of action. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native hit 6-of-10 field goals in the 98-31 victory.

For the week, Black hit 19-of-27 field goals for a 70.4 percentage. Black averaged 22.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in the two victories, while becoming the 24th player in Duke history to reach the 1,000-point mark with her first basket on Sunday against Maine.

Bennett opened her collegiate career with an eight-point, seven-rebound performance against Troy. The Statesboro, Ga., native took her game to another level when she came off the bench to spark the Yellow Jackets against No. 1 Connecticut on the road. The freshman connected on her first six shots from the field and finished with 19 points against the Huskies. The 5-10 guard also grabbed five offensive rebounds and had four steals.

ACC action continues this evening as three league squads battle early non-conference opponents. North Carolina and Wake Forest welcome Kennesaw State and UNC Greensboro, respectively on Monday, while No. 15 Virginia takes to the road to face No. 6 Tennessee. All three games are slated for 7 p.m. ET.