Jan. 28, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior Ieasia Walker (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague) was named SEC Player of the Week, the league office announced today. The Gamecock point guard led the team to a pair of victories last week, including a 55-50 win over then-No. 5/4 Kentucky at Colonial Life Arena. She finished the week with 23 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals.

Walker drove the Gamecocks to victory over Kentucky, playing every second of the game. Her all-around game was on full display as she led the team in points (16), rebounds (8), assists (4), steals (3) and blocks (2). She posted nine points, three assists and three steals in the second half – more than half of her totals for the game – as the Gamecocks broke the 19-19 halftime tie. Against Arkansas, Walker swiped five steals, including three in the second half – two in the final six minutes to help the Gamecock defense hold off the charging Razorbacks. Offensively, she hit a pair of key 3-pointers during a first-half run and led the team with three assists.

With the wins, South Carolina improved to 17-3 overall and 6-2 in SEC action. The league record matches the 2001-02 team’s eight-game start to conference play. That group won nine of its first 11 SEC outings. Walker has upped her game since league play began, averaging 11.5 points, 2.9 assists and 3.0 steals. In SEC action, she is tied for the conference lead in steals and ranks among the top-30 scorers.

South Carolina is back in action on Sun., Feb. 3, 3 p.m. against Auburn at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the game. Check GamecocksOnline.com this week with more information about the events planned.