Dec. 15, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Boston College's Carolyn Swords and Virginia Tech's Shanel Harrison were named Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for the week ending Dec. 14. Swords led the Eagles to a pair of victories last week over New Hampshire and Florida International, while Harrison recorded her first collegiate double-double in a 72-70 overtime win over James Madison.

Swords led BC to two victories last week to help the Eagles improve to 7-2 on the young season. The sophomore center shot an impressive 81 percent from the field (17-for-21), scored 38 points, and grabbed 25 rebounds over the two games. Swords is currently shooting 70 percent from the field for the season, a mark which ranks second in the country, and averaging 9.6 rebounds a game. The Sudbury, Mass., native opened the game against New Hampshire going 6-for-8 (13 points) and had eight rebounds in the first half alone. Against FIU, Swords had 14 points and eight rebounds in just 14 minutes of play in the first half. In merely 12 minutes of action in the second half, Swords grabbed five boards and went 2-for-2 from the field for 4 points.

Harrison recorded her first career double-double with career-highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds in Virginia Tech's 72-70 overtime win versus visiting James Madison last weekend. After JMU hit a trey with three seconds left in the game to give the Dukes a 62-60 lead, Harrison was fouled on a desperation three-point from beyond half court. The freshman stepped to the line with 0.1 remaining in regulation and hit 2-of-3 free throws to force overtime. The rookie from Olney, Md., then pulled down a defensive rebound on JMU's final possession of overtime to secure the victory.

The weekly honor marks career-firsts for both Swords and Harrison. Swords earned four Rookie of the Week nods last year.

ACC action continues tonight as Clemson welcomes Chattanooga and North Carolina faces Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. ET.