Jan. 17, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky’s Bernisha Pinkett (Washington, D.C.) was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced Monday.

Pinkett, a 5-foot-7 guard, received the honor after averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds in UK’s two wins last week. She came off the bench to notch a career-high 18 points and four assists in a career-high 25 minutes of play in helping UK secure its first conference win of the season over South Carolina. She followed that performance with 13 points in a reserve role vs. Mississippi State. She also added four rebounds and three assists in the win.

Overall, Pinkett is UK’s fifth-leading scorer, averaging 7.2 points per game. She has scored in double digits six times this year, including a then career-high 17 points vs. No. 12 Notre Dame.

This is the sixth year the SEC has recognized a Freshman of the Week award. The weekly award marks UK’s ninth SEC Freshman of the Week.

The Cats (13-4, 2-2 SEC) return to action Thursday, Jan. 20 at Florida. Game time in the O’Connell Center is 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Blue Sports Network with Neil Price.