Jan. 7, 2013

The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that University of Minnesota redshirt freshman Kayla Hirt was named the Big Ten Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week for her performance in the opening week of league play.

It is the second honor for Hirt this season, having also earned the distinction on Dec. 24.

In contests at Michigan State and Wisconsin, Hirt averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game to help the Golden Gophers to a 1-1 record in Big Ten action.

Hirt scored 12 points and hauled in six rebounds, two on the offensive end, in 25 minutes of action in Minnesota's road win at Wisconsin on Sunday, just three days after playing only five minutes at Michigan State on Thursday. She finished the Big Ten opener with one rebound.

The Gophers return to the friendly confines of Williams Arena for their Big Ten home opener vs. No. 24 Ohio State Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. -UM-