photo by: Carter Gaskins

KU senior Jessica Washington (3) makes a move past Grambling State Kendriana Washington (20) in the second quarter Sunday afternoon in Allen Fieldhouse.

Jessica Washington helped Kansas win its division at the Duel in the Desert before the holiday break and her efforts in Las Vegas didn’t go unnoticed, as Washington was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Wednesday afternoon.

The weekly honor is the second of the season for Washington and the third of her career.

Washington paced the Jayhawks in scoring in both games during the Duel in the Desert with 15 and 22 points, respectively. She averaged 18.5 points per game, while connecting on 50 percent of her shots from the field. Washington also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the tournament.

She was named the division MVP after Kansas went 2-0 at the Duel in the Desert.

Kansas (9-1) plays host to Vermont at 2 p.m. Sunday.