Jan. 2, 2006

Aya Traore, Purdue 
SR, 6-1, F, Dakar, Senegal/Moore

Entering conference play with a scoring output of 10.1 points per game, Traore averaged 20.5 points on 16-of-28 shooting (.571) and 6.0 rebounds in leading Purdue to a 2-0 league start for the first time since the 2000-01 season.  Battling a week-long stomach flu, the senior forward pitched in a game-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting (.583) in a 77-57 win over Wisconsin on Thursday.  Traore then dropped in a career high-tying 23 points to lead the No. 18 Boilermakers to a 61-59 upset over No. 7 Ohio State in Mackey Arena on New Year's Day.  Sixteen of her 23 points against the Buckeyes came in the final 20 minutes to help the Boilermakers overcome a nine-point halftime deficit.

This is Traore's first career Big Ten Player of the Week honor.

Last PUR POW:  Natasha Bogdanova (11/22/04)