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Rosemont, Ill. - Fighting Illini freshman Cierra Rice was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday, Dec. 7, as announced by the league office. The award is the second for the Grosse Pointe, Mich., native this season, and also the second weekly honor for an Illini this year. 

Rice is coming off of a strong week for the Orange and Blue, highlighted by a career-best 22-point performance at Miami. Rice has put up 20 or more points in two games this season, and she is one of just three freshmen in Illinois history, since individual stats were kept in 1980, to record two 20-point games in the first five games of the season. Rice added seven rebounds and a steal at Miami, shooting 5-for-6 from the free throw line. 

She continued her scoring ways in Illinois' 76-67 victory over Lehigh, putting up 12 points  and making two of UI's four free throws on the day. Rice is currently on a scoring streak as she has put up double-digit numbers in four consecutive games. She added four assists and two steals to her game this past Sunday.

Rice and the Illini continue the non-conference slate on Tuesday, Dec. 8, hosting Southern Illinois in a 7 p.m. matchup. The game will honor the 25th anniversary of the ADA, and the Orange and Blue will welcome Illinois Wheelchair Basketball onto the court at halftime.