ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State women’s basketball freshman guard Casey Garrison capped a week that saw the Lady Bears christen a new home and earn their first win of the 2008-09 season by picking up the Missouri Valley Conference’s Newcomer of the Week award for the period November 17-23, the league office announced Monday (Nov. 24).

Garrison’s 21-point, seven-rebound performance paved the way for Missouri State’s 61-52 win over Arkansas State Sunday (Nov 23) in their inaugural game at JQH Arena. The 5-11 freshman went 7-of-15 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line and scored eight of her game- and career-high 21 points during a 15-0 Missouri State scoring run at the start of the second half that turned the tide in what was a 28-28 game at intermission. The Bolivar, Mo., product also knocked down a critical 18-footer with 1:57 left in the game that gave MSU a 54-50 lead moments after the Red Wolves had cut what was once a 16-point margin to just two points.

Her performance Sunday came on the heels of a 10-point, four-assist effort against Tulsa on Wednesday (Nov. 19) night. In that contest, a 64-56 Lady Bear loss, Garrison also grabbed seven boards to lead MSU in rebounding for the second straight game.

For the week, she went 11-of-23 (.478) from the field and 6-of-7 (.857) from the free throw line and led Missouri State in scoring (15.5 ppg.) and assists (2.5 apg.), while pulling down 7.0 rebounds per outing.

The Lady Bears will be back in action Wednesday (Nov. 26) evening when they welcome Oral Roberts to JQH Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.