INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler senior Melanie Thornton has been named Horizon League Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the period of March 1-7. The selection marks Thornton's first career weekly honor from League office.
Thornton, a forward from Carmel, Ind., averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals in a pair of Horizon League road victories last week. She knocked down 16-of-26 (.615) from the field and 10-of-12 (.833) from the free-throw line.
Thornton recorded 18 points and six rebounds in a 64-59 win on Thursday at UIC. She then added 24 points and six boards on Saturday at Loyola.
Thornton recently became the third Butler player in history to earn Horizon League Player of the Year accolades. She ranks among the conference leaders in scoring (2nd, 15.7), blocks (2nd, 1.7), rebounding (3rd, 8.3), steals (3rd, 2.3) and field-goal percentage (7th, .531).
Butler, 21-8 overall and 14-4 in League play, has won nine of its last 10 contests. The second-seeded Bulldogs will host either No. 7 Wright State or No. 10 Youngstown State on Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the 2010 Speedway Horizon League Championship.
Thornton will become eligible for the Horizon League Network's "People's Choice" award, which is announced each Thursday afternoon. Log on to www.HorizonLeagueNetwork.tv to vote.
Other Horizon League top performers (March 1-7)
Kailey Klein, Cleveland State, Senior, G -- 1-1 record, 2 GP, 36 Pts, 11 Rebs, 5 Asts, 13-27 FG
Brigid Mulroy, Detroit, Senior, G -- 1-0 record, 1 GP, 21 Pts, 4 Rebs, 7-10 FG, 6-7 3FG
Julia Wojta, Green Bay, Sophomore, F -- 2-0 record, 2 GP, 26 Pts, 17 Rebs, 7 Stls, 13-21 FG
Keisha Collins, Loyola, Senior, G -- 1-1 record, 2 GP, 23 Pts, 11 Rebs, 10 Asts, 8-20 FG, 7-8 FT
Lindsay Laur, Milwaukee, Junior, F -- 1-1 record, 2 GP, 33 Pts, 18 Rebs, 12-14 FT
Jessie Miller, UIC, Senior, G -- 0-2 record, 2 GP, 33 Pts, 16 Rebs, 6 Stls, 9-13 FT
Lauren Kenney, Valparaiso, Senior, F -- 1-1 record, 2 GP, 45 Pts, 10 Rebs, 17-25 FG
Erica Richardson, Wright State, Senior, F -- 0-1 record, 1 GP, 11 Pts, 7 Rebs, 5-9 FG
Brandi Brown, Youngstown State, Freshman, F -- 0-2 record, 2 GP, 24 Pts, 22 Rebs, 8 Stls
