IRVING, Texas – Alex Johnson lifted the lid on Middle Tennessee’s 2018-19 campaign in dominant fashion, pouring in an average 15.5 points on a scorching 67 percent shooting mark, to earn Conference USA Player of the Week. The league’s Freshman of the Week nod was split between Charlotte’s Jazmin Harris and Ajah Wayne of Old Dominion. Both maturely rattled off a pair of double-digit performances to lift the 49ers and Monarchs to two wins each in week one. The league’s Honor Roll spot went to UTSA’s Marie Benson, who topped her career-high with 29 points and posted her first double-double (29/15) against Concordia. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World Headwear. 
 
Player of the Week
Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee
Senior, 6-0, F, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Johnson was a force in Middle Tennessee’s season-opening victories over SEC foe Vanderbilt and Furman. The hometown product averaged 15.5 points on 67 percent shooting from the floor and an 88 percent clip from the free throw line in her average 34 minutes of action. The senior filled the stat sheet with 19 points against a strong Vanderbilt defense, six rebounds, two steals and a block. In her start at Furman, Johnson sunk 10 of her 12 points during a critical second half to lift the Lady Raiders from a 12-point deficit. She also chipped in five rebounds and a steal. It is Johnson’s seventh C-USA weekly award and second C-USA Player of the Week award (Jan. 23, 2017).
 
Co-Freshman of the Week
Jazmin Harris, Charlotte
Freshman, 6-3, C, Greensboro, N.C.
Harris shined in her first two collegiate games, powering Charlotte to two double-digit victories against UNC Asheville and Wofford. Harris tallied 10 points (4-7), seven boards and a game-high three blocks in 18 minutes of action on Thursday. The newcomer turned to Wofford with an even hotter hand, collecting 19 points on 62 percent shooting, including a 3-for-4 showing from the charity stripe. She added another six rebounds and a block in the win. Harris averaged a team-best 14.5 points on the week.
 
Co-Freshman of the Week
Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion
Freshman, 5-10, G/F, Birmingham, Ala.
Wayne made her first two collegiate starts with the Monarchs and debuted an average 18 points, seven boards, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals in two wins over Campbell and Norfolk State this week. The Alabama product dropped a game-best 22 points on 57 percent shooting from the floor with four rebounds and four steals against Campbell. The newcomer inked her first double-double versus Norfolk State, grinding out 14 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. She averaged a 50-percent FG shooting clip in the two meetings.
 
C-USA Players of the Week
N12:      Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee
 
C-USA Freshmen of the Week
N12:      Jazmin Harris, Charlotte | Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion