Freshman Kristeena Alexander of the George Mason womens basketball team has been named the Connection Newspapers/George Mason University Athlete of the Week.

The 5-6, point guard from Hempstead, NY, had another outstanding week for the Patriots, leading them to four straight wins. She guided the team to a Championship title at the 1996 Goodings Central Florida Holiday Tournament and was named to the All- u ! nt team. Alexander also was named the Colonial Athletic Associations Player of the Week (12/30/96). She is the only freshman to earn the honor so far this season.

In the three tournament games in Orlando, FL, Alexander scored 54 points and had 14 steals and 14 assists. In the win over host Central Florida, Alexander set a new NCAA record for most consecutive free throws made in a game, converting 20-of-20 from the line. She surpasses five players that all had previously made 18 in a row. Her 100 percent from the line is also an NCAA best.

She went on to drain 26 consecutive free throws over a three game span to set a new George Mason record. The previous Patriot record was 21 consecutive.

The former Christ the King High School standout was the driving force in the Championship game as her squad upset No. 10 Auburn, 58-55 in overtime. In overtime, she scored five points and had three big steals to pull out the come-from-behind win.

In George Masons first CAA game this year (1/5/97), Alexander led the team with 18 points and tied a career high with six steals as the Patriots defeated William & Mary, 60-58.

Alexander has led George Mason in scoring in six of the 11 games this year. Shes leading the team and is third in the CAA in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game. Shes also No. 2 in the conference in steals per game (4.2), and No. 9 in the CAA in assists per game (3.6). Her career high 31 points at Wagner are a conference best this season. She also hold the CAA season record for most field goals (12 at Wagner), most field goal attempts (18 at Wagner) and most free throws and attempts (20 at Central Florida).

Earlier this season Alexander was named the MVP at the Hosss/Red Flash Classic at Saint Francis College. In that two-game tournament, she scored 31 points to lead the Patriots to the Championship title.

Women's basketball contact: Lisa S. McQuiggan (993-3246)