March 2, 2005

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Gonzaga University senior Ashley Burke has been named the West Coast Conference women's basketball Player of the Month for February.

The native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, led the Bulldogs to a 7-0 record for the month, capping the second perfect regular season in the conference's women's basketball history. Burke, who earlier this week was named to the All-WCC first team, averaged 17.9 ppg and 7.6 rpg for the month. She moved into fourth on both the Gonzaga career scoring and rebounding lists and climbed up to 12th on the WCC career scoring chart. Burke shot 63 percent (47-for-74) from the floor.

Gonzaga also received its inaugural national ranking at No. 25 in the Associated Press poll. GU extended its winning streak to 21 games and won the WCC regular-season title. Burke scored 20 or more twice during the month, collecting 23 points against Santa Clara University and 21 against Pepperdine University.

The Bulldogs will enter this week's WCC Tournament as the No. 1 seed as they continue their quest for their inaugural trip to the NCAA Tournament.