Tulane forward Krystal Freeman named American Athletic Conference Player of the Week

Freshman Erin Gutierrez Earns Spot on Honor Roll

NEW ORLEANS – After a stellar week down in South Florida, the Green Wave women’s basketball team saw two players honored by the American Athletic Conference when the league announced its weekly awards on Monday.

Sophomore Krystal Freeman was named The American’s Player of the Week for the first time in her career, and freshman Erin Gutierrez was placed on the league’s Honor Roll after a career-best performance just miles from her hometown.

Named the MVP of the Miami Holiday Classic, Freeman helped Tulane to a perfect 2-0 week with wins over Mid-American Conference favorite Central Michigan and Florida A&M. Freeman had her first career double-double against the Chippewas, topping Tulane with 17 points while snagging 10 rebounds.

On Sunday against FAMU, Freeman was again in double-digit scoring with 10 points and led Tulane with two blocks while contributing four more rebounds all in only 14 minutes. For the week, Freeman averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 boards per game all while making 7 of her 8 free throws.

Freeman had previously earned recognition from the league this year, twice earning placement on the Honor Roll. The sophomore’s Player of the Week honor is the first for a Green Wave player since Kolby Morgan earned the award on Jan. 30, 2017. Freeman becomes just the third Tulane player to ever win The American’s Player of the Week award.

Playing in front of a hometown crowd, Gutierrez had a tremendous week at the Miami Holiday Classic. The freshman posted a career-high 19 points and six assists on Sunday against Florida A&M, leading Tulane in both categories all in just 21 minutes.

Gutierrez started her week with 5 points and five assists against Central Michigan on Saturday. Gutierrez shot 9 of 16 from the field during the week, added three steals and three rebounds as well.

This is Gutierrez’s first time on The American’s Honor Roll and her second overall recognition this year. She was named the conference’s Freshman of the Week on November 19.

Freeman and Gutierrez have been crucial to the Green Wave’s tremendous start to the 2018-19 season. Tulane is 10-3 overall, and Freeman is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder with 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Gutierrez has been essential off the bench, playing nearly 20 minutes per game as the team’s backup point guard. She is averaging 3.7 assists and 5.9 points per game while leading Tulane with 29 made free throws.

Freeman, Gutierrez and the rest of the Green Wave are back in action on Saturday when they kick off American Athletic Conference play against ECU. Tipoff at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse is scheduled for 2 p.m.