Basketball: Women's
Lady Lions: Maggie Lucas, Coquese Washington win Big Ten yearly awards
After defeating Nebraska last night to win an outright Big Ten championship, the Lady Lions continued their success today in the Big Ten Conference awards.
Maggie Lucas unanimously took home Big Ten Player of the Year honors. The Narbeth native averaged 20.5 points a game, finishing the season with a team and Big Ten-best 47 percent shooting three-pointers.
"What a wonderful and deserving honor for Maggie," coach Coquese Washington told reporters in Monday's media day. "She has been a consistent player all season long. She continues to work to improve her game and clearly that work has paid dividends."
Lucas becomes the third player to win the award in Lady Lions history. She joins Helen Darling, in 2000, and Kelly Mazzante, who won it in 2003 and 2004.
The junior guard's award complements Washington's second-straight Big Ten Coach of the Year honor.
Washington led the Lady Lions to a 24-4 record, going undefeated at home and clinching a No. 1 seed for the Big Ten Tournament.
Washington's prized senior class also took home awards.
The Big Ten named senior Alex Bentley to the All-Big Ten first team and All-Big Ten defensive team. Bentley averaged a nation's fourth best 3.68 steals per game.
Bentley is joined on the All-Big Ten defensive team by redshirt junior guard Dara Taylor.
Nikki Greene was named to the All-Big Ten third team and Gizelle Studevent was named as the Lady Lions Sportsmanship representative.
The Lions will be back in action Friday when they begin their run in the Big Ten Tournament.