By the Pac-12 Conference

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - The Pac-12 Conference office announced today the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Players of the Week for the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6. USC’s Cassie Harberts was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week, while Washington’s Talia Walton was tabbed the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.

USC junior forward Cassie Harberts (San Clemente, Calif.) led the Trojans to a road sweep of the Oregon schools in the Pac-12 opening weekend. Harberts started the trip with a season-high 27 points and was the Trojans' only double-digit scorer in their 56-55 come-from-behind win at Oregon State. She was just a rebound away from a double-double and scored almost half of USC’s points in the victory. Two days later, Harberts offered up another game-high effort with 16 points, including a three-pointer, to lift USC over host Oregon, 67-62. Harberts has scored in double digits in all 13 of USC’s games this season. USC snapped a six-game losing skid with its weekend victories.

Redshirt freshman forward Talia Walton (Federal Way, Wash.) led Washington to a sweep of the Arizona schools to help UW to its first 2-0 start in Conference play since 2006-07. She began the weekend tying a then-career high with 19 points, going 2-3 from behind the arc, in a win over Arizona State. The win was Washington’s first over the Sun Devils in 17 meetings. Walton also blocked a career-best five shots in the game. Against Arizona, Walton set a new career high with 20 points, connecting on a career-best nine field goals. Walton grabbed 13 rebounds against the Wildcats, another career best, helping the Huskies to a 49-40 advantage on the glass.

It is Harberts’ first career player of the week honor and USC’s 43rd all-time. It is Walton’s first freshman weekly nod this season.

USC and Washington play one another on Friday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. PT in Los Angeles. The Trojans will then host Washington State on Sunday, Jan. 13, with the Huskies closing out the week at UCLA on Sunday.

Also Nominated:
PLAYER: Davellyn Whyte, ARIZ; Brittany Boyd, CAL; Ariel Thomas, ORE; Chiney Ogwumike, STAN; Atonye Nyingifa,UCLA; Michelle Plouffe, Utah; Talia Walton, WASH; Tia Presley, WSU.

FRESHMAN: Jamie Weisner, OSU; Nirra Fields, UCLA; Brianna Barrett, USC; Paige Crozon, UTAH; Taylor Edmondson, WSU.