WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sophomore Zahirah Walton has been named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the fifth time this season, announced by the league office on Monday.
 
Walton's honor marks the eighth overall Rookie of the Week honor for the Patriots this season, as she already earned it on Dec. 26, Jan. 15, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29., while freshman Kennedy Harris has earned it three times.
 
In a 1-1 week for the Patriots (19-4, 10-2), Walton averaged a team-best 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while going .474 from the floor and .750 from the free throw line. In a defensive battle against Saint Joseph's, she posted six points, three rebounds, a steal and matched her career-high of two blocks.
 
In Mason's first road win over Dayton in program history, Walton exploded for a game-high 19 points and team-high eight rebounds while matching her career-best of three steals to go with an assist and a block. She went 6-11 from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the line to boost Mason to a dominant 74-50 victory.
 
Walton and the Patriots return to the court on the road at Davidson on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Tip-off from Belk Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.