Jan. 23, 2006

CHICAGO - Loyola senior forward Danielle Lonie (Country Club Hills, Ill./Hillcrest) has been named the Horizon League Women's Basketball Player of the Week after averaging 24.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg while shooting .643 (18 of 28) from the floor in a pair of conference games last week. It is the first time Lonie has earned the honor in her career and it also marks the first time this season a Loyola player has won the conference award.

"Ever since she has come back from her injury (Jan. 5), Danielle has been outstanding," said head coach Shannon Reidy. "Her production has been terrific but her vocal leadership and competitive fire that she has as a senior have been just as impressive. She has really put the team on her back, in that sense, and has helped us balance out the scoring and get a couple of wins."

After tying her career-high last Saturday (Jan. 14) at Illinois-Chicago, Lonie took her play to another level last week, opening up by posting a career-high 27 points (11-of-17 from the floor) and adding 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season in an 85-72 setback at Butler. She was just as good on Saturday against Wright State, finishing with 21 points (7-11 FGs, 7-7 FTs) as Loyola avenged an earlier loss to the Raiders with a stirring 85-77 (OT) win at the Gentile Center to gain a split of the season-series.

For the year, Lonie is second on the Ramblers in scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) while ranking fourth in the Horizon League in field goal percentage. However, she has been even better in seven conference games, averaging 16.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg while hitting at a .631 clip from the floor.

Loyola looks to keep its momentum going as continues its four-game homestand with a pair of games this week. The Ramblers open up on Thursday night (Jan. 26) when they battle Youngstown State at 4:45 p.m. and wrap up the week on Saturday afternoon with a 12:30 p.m. tilt against Detroit at the Gentile Center.