WICHITA - Alex Harden was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer-Of-the-Week for Feb. 20 after leading the Wichita State women's basketball team to a pair of wins over the weekend. 

Harden was the Shockers' leading scorer in victories over Southern Illinois on Friday and Evansville on Sunday.  She made her first two starts of the season in those games and responded by averaging 14.5 points on 68.8% shooting (11-for-16) from the field, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 2.5 assists.   

On Friday against the Salukis, Harden delivered 15 points with five rebounds, four steals and three assists with only one turnover.  She connected on 5-of-9 shots from the floor and 5-of-6 from the free throw line as WSU rolled to a 74-46 victory.

It was much the same on Sunday in a 69-43 win over Evansville.  Harden tossed in 14 points to tie for the team lead by shooting 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line.  She added three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. 

Harden was the leading bench scorer for the Shockers before earning the start on Friday.  The freshman from Springfield, Ill. is averaging 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 steals over 16.7 minutes per game. 

She is the first WSU player this year honored as "Newcomer-of-the-Week."