Long Beach State freshman Raven Benton (Federal Way, Wash./Federal Way HS) claimed All-Tournament honors and the Big West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week award for two incredibly efficient performances at the ASU Classic.

Benton averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 17.0 minutes per game in helping the 49ers to the tournament’s championship game.  She shot 55.6 (10 of 18) percent from the floor and 78.9 percent (15 of 19) at the free throw line.

In 21 minutes of reserve action against Harvard, Benton helped the 49ers storm back from a 23-point deficit in the second half in an eventual 72-67 comeback win.  The 5-10 guard notched 21 points and sank 11-of-14 from the free throw line against the Crimson.  She also hit two of her four attempts from three-point land.  Benton added four rebounds, three steals and an assist.  It was her second 20-point performance.

Benton played just 13 minutes in the championship game against host Arizona State, which was receiving votes in last week’s national polls.  But she scored 16 points in those 13 minutes, shooting 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.  Benton’s effort was instrumental in the 49ers taking the Sun Devils to the wire, eventually losing 74-67 in overtime.

For the week, Benton led the 49ers in points (37), points per game, field goal percentage and free throws made (15).

Others nominated: Camille Buckley (UC Irvine); Natasha Hadley (UC Riverside); Nicole Nesbit (UC Santa Barbara)