PacWest Release #14

Newport Beach, CA -- After setting the program's single-game blocks record in an incredible performance against Dixie State, Krystal Forthan has been named Hawaii Tourism Authority Pacific West Conference Defensive Player of the Week for games played Feb. 17-23. Forthan averaged 23.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, and 3.5 assists in a 2-0 week for Academy of Art University Women's Basketball, helping the Urban Knights reach 10 consecutive victories and achieve the program's first PacWest Conference regular season title.

At Fresno Pacific on Feb. 17, Forthan delivered her highest field goal percentage in a contest yet (.786, 11-for-14) en route to a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. ART U grabbed hold of the lead midway through the first period and never gave it back, winning 86-66 in the end.

Then, as part of a rematch with Dixie State on Feb. 22, Forthan contributed a pair of baskets to the Knights' 12-0 run to start the game and she would finish with an impresive line of 22 points, 17 rebounds, seven blocks, and six assists. The seven rejections surpassed the program's previous high of six set by Katy Wade.

Forthan now has 11 consecutive double-doubles and 12 out of 15 games thus far. With 167 rebounds this year, she moves up to eighth on the program's top 10 single-season list.

For the season, Forthan is averaging 18.9 points (would be third in PacWest if met game minimums), 11.8 rebounds (would be first in PacWest), 2.5 blocks (would be second in PacWest), 1.9 steals (would be 10th in PacWest), and 2.2 assists per game.

This is the fifth PacWest weekly honor in Forthan's career after her pair of PacWest Player of the Week honors and two previous placements on the Final 5.