Riche named Big Ten Player of the Week

Gophers junior forward Micaella Riche was named the Big Ten Women's Basketball Player of the Week on Monday.

Riche averaged 24.5 points and 10 rebounds in two games this past weekend, both Minnesota victories.

The Gophers hosted and won the Best Buy Classic, and Riche was pivotal in the team's success. She posted career-highs of 29 points and 14 rebounds in Minnesota's double-overtime victory over Washington State on Saturday.

On Sunday, Riche scored 20 points and grabbed six boards in the championship game against Villanova.

The honor is Riche's first. The last Gophers player to win the award was sophomore point guard Rachel Banham on Jan. 9.

Banham had a career-high 34 points in the win against Washington State.