Women's Basketball | 2/20/2018 3:37:00 PM

FAIRFAX, Va. – Freshman Nicole Cardaño-Hillary's superb week has received national notice.

The point guard was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's National Freshman of the Week on Tuesday. The national honor comes on the heels of earning Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week accolades on Monday.

The native of Madrid, Spain, averaged 19 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 assists in a pair of wins last week as Mason tied the school record for single-season wins.

On Thursday in a 65-42 win at VCU, she scored 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting with six rebounds, three steals and two assists. She then scored 19 points in a 78-63 victory over St. Bonaventure on Sunday at home as the Patriots tied the single-season school record for wins with their 21st victory. She scored 17 points in the second half and also had four assists and three steals.

She has scored in double figures in all 28 games, ranks third in the Atlantic 10 in scoring (17.7 ppg) and leads the league in steals (75).

The Patriots (21-7, 10-4 A-10) hit the road to play first-place Dayton (21-4, 14-0) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio.