Jan. 5, 2000

EASTON, PA - Lafayette College freshman center Jen Bayer (Lowell, IN/Lowell) has been named the Patriot League women's basketball Rookie of the Week for her performances in the week ending Jan. 2.

Bayer, part of a starting lineup that features two other freshman, captured the award with a three-game series in which she averaged 15.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest. The crown jewel performance of the week was a 23-point showing in the first round of the La Salle Invitational, in which she scored 21 points in the second half. The Leopards, led by Bayer, scored 51 second-stanza points en route to a 75-70 win and a berth into the tournament's championship game. Bayer's magnificent 20-minute performance included a 9-for-9 showing from the free throw line, along with just one turnover.

On the season, Bayer has made steady progress in her statistical numbers. She is currently averaging 8.6 points per game, and grabs 7.3 rebounds per game. The 6'1" center is shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 69 percent from the charity stripe. She averages 29 minutes per game for the 2-10 Leopards.

Bayer was one of the top recruits in this year's strong freshman class. The salutatorian of Lowell High School in Lowell, IN, she averaged 16 points and 12.9 rebounds per game her senior season, leading her team to a second-place finish in their 13-team conference. She was runner-up for All-Area Player of the Year, and was named to the Post-Tribune all-area squad. Bayer set school records for rebounds in a game (21) and career rebounds (687) while averaging 10.0 boards per game in her high school career. She finished second in school history in scoring with 807 points, averaging 11.9 points per game over her four year career.

The center will lead Lafayette into action tonight against visiting Rider University, as part of a live televised doubleheader with Lafayette's men's team. Game time is set for 5:45 p.m. for the women, and 8:00 p.m. for the men, who face Delaware Valley. The Lafayette Sports Network will carry the games on RCN-TV4 and WBPH-TV60.