Lykendra Johnson Named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week
12/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball junior Lykendra Johnson was named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday, as announced by the conference office. Johnson earns the weekly honor for the first time in her career and is the first Spartan since Allyssa DeHaan on Feb. 1, 2010.
Johnson helped lead Michigan State to back-to-back wins over nationally-ranked opponents this week, as the Spartans upset No. 15 Florida State, 72-64, on Wednesday in Tallahassee and beat No. 17 Texas at the Breslin Center on Sunday, 71-57. Johnson posted double-doubles in both contests, averaging 15.5 points, 11.0 rebounds (5.0 offensive), 5.0 steals, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. She also shot 60.9% from the field for the week.
On Wednesday, Johnson was integral in the Spartans overcoming a 16-point first half deficit at Florida State. She narrowly missed a triple-double with 11 points, a game- and season-high 11 rebounds and a career-high nine steals. Her nine steals tied for the second most in program history and were the most by an MSU player since Jamie Wesley grabbed a program record 12 on Feb. 2, 1996 against Minnesota. It was also the most in the Big Ten since Purdue's FahKara Malone had nine against Portland on Nov. 20, 2008. The nine steals also tie for the most in the nation this season.
On Sunday, Johnson posted back-to-back double-doubles for the second time in her career, tying for the team lead with 20 points and leading the team with 11 boards. Her 20 points, on 9-of-12 shooting, was the second best scoring output of her career.
For the season, Johnson is third on the team with 8.8 points per game, but leads the team with 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.4 blocks. She leads the Big Ten in steals, and also ranks fourth in offensive rebounds, sixth in blocks and 14th in rebounds.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday when they host Milwaukee for a 7 p.m. tip at the Breslin Center.
