Jan. 3, 2005

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.--Junior forward Curtis Sumpter (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was named Co-Big Five Player of the Week for leading the Wildcats to a perfect 2-0 mark last week, it was announced by the Big Five. Sumpter shares the honor with Steven Smith of La Salle.

Sumpter paced the Wildcats (7-1) in scoring for both of its recent victories, an 81-62 decision over Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 27, followed by a City Series win, a 74-64 triumph versus Penn on Dec. 31. He scored a season-high 26 points against the Blue Raiders, followed by a 16-point performance against the Quakers.

During the win over Middle Tennessee, Sumpter connected on 10-of-13 field goals, including 2-of-2 on his 3-point attempts. In the win over Penn, he also led the team in rebounds, with 13, as they pulled away from the Quakers for their sixth straight victory.

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 5 as they host Big East rival West Virginia in their conference opener. Villanova is 2-1 in conference openers under head coach Jay Wright. The game, to be televised on ESPN Classic, starts at 7:30 p.m.