Idaho sophomore Leilani Mitchell (Kennewick, Wash./Kennewick HS) earned the first Big West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honor of the 2004-05 season after almost single-handedly spelled doom for the Vandals’ visiting opponents Utah Valley State and Boise State last week.
In Idaho’s home opener, the 5-5 guard nailed a 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining to lift the Vandals ahead by one on the way to a 62-59 win. Two nights later, the 2003-04 Big West Freshman of the Year sank two free throws with seven seconds to go in overtime with Boise State, sealing an 81-78 win for Idaho. Mitchell also nabbed a career-high eight steals in the win to go along with her 22-point outing.