Feb. 21, 2008

OREM, UT - NJIT's freshman guard Jessica Gerald has been selected NCAA Division I Newcomer of the Week for the fifth time this season, Clint Burgi of Utah Valley announced.

This marks the fifth time this season Gerald has been honored as Newcomer of the Week while being selected for the third time in the past four weeks.

Chicago State's Jasmin Dixon was named Player of the Week as she finished with her second double-double of the season (27 points, 17 rebounds) in a 91-86 overtime win over Saint Xavier.

In a 1-1 week for the Highlanders, Gerald averaged 21.0 points and 3.0 steals per game.

Gerald led the way with a game-high 23 points; joining NJIT's other two starting guards to combine for 54 points in the Highlanders' 90-61 win over visiting Savannah State.

Saturday's 90 points were the most this season for NJIT, surpassing the 76 it scored against Cal State Bakersfield on January 11. The NJIT Division I-era scoring high is 91, done on November 18, 2006 in a 91-70 win over Norfolk State in the third game of the Highlanders' first season of Division I competition.

The weekly independent awards are nominated and voted on by sports information directors at nine NCAA Division I independent schools.

NJIT will play its final home game of the season on Thursday at 7 pm when it hosts Utah Valley in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.