Jan. 4, 2006
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MEN'S BASKETBALL - Adam Morrison, Gonzaga
Gonzaga's Adam Morrison made a strong statement for National Player of the Year honors during the month of December. The 6-8 junior forward led the nation in scoring during the month with a 28.3 points per game average, while leading the Zags to a 6-2 record, despite playing one of the most demanding schedules in the country. Morrison also added 5.9 rebounds per game to go along with 2.3 assists per game and 1.0 steals per game. He shot a solid 50 percent from the field (74-148), and knocked down 37.8 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc (14-37).
The Spokane, Wash. native started the month with a memorable performance versus in-state rival Washington, dropping in 43 points versus the Huskies. Morrison connected on an astounding 18-of-29 (62.1 percent) shots from the field to tie his career-high, which he set earlier in the season in Gonzaga's classic triple-overtime win over Michigan State in the Maui Invitational. His 43 points still remains as the nation's best single-game scoring mark.
Another memorable moment came versus Oklahoma State when Morrison poured in a game-high 25 points, including a three-pointer with just 2.5 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Zags to a 64-62 win. Morrison helped Gonzaga post wins over Washington State, Oklahoma State, Virginia, Eastern Washington, Saint Louis and Saint Joseph's, with their lone losses coming at No. 10 Washington and at No. 4 Memphis.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - Michelle Cozad, Santa Clara
Michelle Cozad was tabbed for WCC Player of the Month honors after recording five double-doubles and leading the Broncos to the top of the conference standings with a 5-3 record in December. Cozad averaged a double-double for the month with 19.8 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game, while pitching in 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals per contest.
The senior got the month off to a fast start, notching her first double-double of the season against Portland State with 22 points and 11 rebounds on December 1. Cozad then scored 23 points in SCU's 99-71 win over UC Irvine on December 4, helping the Broncos set a conference-high for points scored in a game this season.
The guard turned it on as the month progressed, recording four more double-doubles and leading Santa Clara to four straight victories to close out December. Cozad began the run with 23 points and 10 boards in SCU's 85-54 win over Eastern Washington on December 15, and continued with double-double performances in Bronco victories over San Jose State and Cal State Northridge.
The Stockton, CA native wrapped up the month with 23 points and nine rebounds in Santa Clara's 70-69 overtime win over Ball State on New Year's Eve. Cozad was named as the WCC Player of the Week twice during December, and has garnered four of the league's seven weekly honors so far this season. She enters conference play at the top of the WCC charts in scoring (18.7 ppg), rebounding (9.6 rpg), and three-pointers made (39), while ranking 12th in the nation with 3.0 three-point field goals per game.