Nov. 24, 2008

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State senior Dominique Butler has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week after leading the Vikings to a 2-1 mark last week. It is the first time that Butler has earned the award in her career.

The league office made the announcement on Monday (Nov. 24) afternoon.

"This is a well-deserved honor for Dom," head coach Kate Peterson Abiad said. "She has played extremely well during the early part of this season and has really stepped up her game on the offensive end.

The Milwaukee, Wis., native averaged 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game last week, shooting 54.3 percent (19-for-35) from the field and 70 percent (7-for-10) at the free throw line during the three games.

Butler opened the week last Tuesday (Nov. 18) with 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the Vikings' 76-67 win over Eastern Michigan.

The 5-foot-10 forward followed that with her fourth career double-double against Illinois State on Friday in a Preseason WNIT game in Muncie, Ind., totaling 12 points and 13 rebounds in the 64-50 win over the Redbirds. The 13 boards were one shy of her career-high.

Butler finished the week with 15 points, five rebounds and four steals in a 61-60 loss at Ball State on Saturday.

For the season, Butler is averaging 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59.6 percent from the floor. She ranks fourth in the Horizon League in scoring.

Last season's Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time selection to the league all-defensive team, Butler is also averaging 3.3 steals per game.

CSU returns to action on Wednesday (Nov. 26) night when the Vikings host Toledo at 7:00 p.m.