PISCATAWAY, NJ – Rutgers sophomore Cappie Pondexter (Chicago, IL) has been named the BIG EAST Conference Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Week, the league office has announced.

Pondexter, a 5-9 guard, scored game-winning baskets is each of Rutgers’ upsets of nationally-ranked teams this week. Against No. 19/25 Villanova Jan. 15, she scored an off-balance shot in the paint with 26 seconds to play to lift RU to a 58-57 victory. Against the Wildcats, Pondexter collected her fourth-consecutive 20-point game with a team-best 23 points, connecting on 10-of-14 (.714) field goals. At No. 21/20 Notre Dame Jan. 18, she made a jumper with 25 seconds on the clock to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 64-61 win. Pondexter made six of 10 (.600) shots to score 14 points, adding four rebounds and four assists despite Notre Dame’s box-and-one defense.

A preseason second-team all-BIG EAST selection, Pondexter was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week Dec. 16.

Rutgers (9-4, 3-1 BIG EAST) will travel to Blacksburg, VA, to take on Virginia Tech Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7:00 p.m. before returning home to host St. John’s Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2:00 p.m.