RICHMOND, Va. - Senior guard Rahneeka Saunders has been recognized by the Colonial Athletic Association as the Women's Basketball Player of the Week for her performance this weekend as announced by the league office Monday. Saunders, who shares the award with Northeastern's Kashaia Cannon, earned the weekly award for the first time in her career.

Following a career-high 33-point performance against Drake last week, Saunders led the Patriots offensively against UAB on Sunday, draining a team-high 16 points. The Washington, D.C. native scored 10 of Mason's final 11 points and returned the permanent lead to the Patriots from the charity stripe.

With Mason trailing by as many as nine with just over five minutes to play, Saunders went 7-of-8 from the free throw line over the final 3:22 and hit a trey that brought the Patriots within one point with just over a minute and a half left in the game. The senior then sank a pair of free throws that put Mason on top for the final time as the Patriots defeated the Blazers 58-55.  

For the contest, Saunders went 9-of-10 from the free throw line, 3-of-5 from the floor, dished out three assists, secured two rebounds and recorded a steal.

"Rahneeka continues to emerge as a stellar floor leader for us and we are excited that she has been recognized by the CAA for her huge contribution to our recent wins," commented head coach Jeri Porter.

Saunders shares the honor with Cannon who helped lead the Huskies to a 2-0 week with wins over Dartmouth and NJIT. Megan Creighton from Drexel was named the Rookie of the Week.