ROCK HILL, S.C. – Anderson University sophomore Diamond McDowell garnered Second Team All-SAC recognition while Ashlyn Sheridan was named to the All-Freshman Team, released by the league office on Thursday morning.
Second Team honoree, McDowell, had an outstanding regular season for the Black and Gold. On the year, McDowell averaged 13.1 points per game (26 points career high vs Mars Hill), 9.5 rebounds per game (2nd in the SAC), 1.8 assists per game and 1.4 blocks per game.
The native of Asheboro, N.C., recorded 13 double-doubles on the season and scored in double digit scoring on 22 occasions. McDowell also recorded 16 eight-plus rebound contests.
Sheridan played in 28 games with 14 starts. The 5-11 guard averaged 23.8 minutes per game, 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She also shot 72.3% from the free throw line.
The native of Knoxville, Tenn., poured in career high number with 25 points against Wingate, ripped down 12 rebounds at Savannah State and blocked four shots at Coker. She also played a 40-minute contest at Catawba.
The Trojans advanced to the semifinal round of the SAC Tournament after defeating Carson-Newman 72-64, on Wednesday evening. Anderson will face the Bulldogs from Wingate on Saturday at Timmons Arena in Greenville, S.C. Tip-off is slated for Noon.
2022-2023 South Atlantic Conference Awards
First Team
Quin Byrd, Limestone
Blaikley Crooks, Lenoir-Rhyne
Jami Tham, Tusculum
Lyrik Thorne, Catawba
Bryanna Troutman, Wingate
Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
Second Team
Janiya Downs, Catawba
Emily Harman, Lenoir-Rhyne
Emily Hege, Wingate
Saquita Joyner, Lincoln Memorial
Diamond McDowell, Anderson
Alexa Smiddy, Lincoln Memorial
Third Team
Mya Belton, Tusculum
Hannah Clark, Wingate
Reagan McCray, Limestone
Sara McIntosh, Catawba
Blayre Shultz, Tusculum
Nia Vanzant, UVA Wise
All-Freshman
Emily Hege, Wingate
Tori Rutherford, Carson-Newman
Ashlyn Sheridan, Anderson
Alexa Smiddy, Lincoln Memorial
Breanna Yarber, Emory & Henry
Player of the Year
Lyrik Thorne, Catawba
Freshman of the Year
Emily Hege, Wingate
Defensive Player of the Year
Mya Belton, Tusculum
Coach of the Year
Terence McCutcheon, Catawba
Statistical Champions
Points Per Game – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman; 21.0
Three-Pointers Per Game – Alexa Smiddy, Lincoln Memorial; 2.81
Rebounds Per Game – Jami Tham, Tusculum; 13.4
Blocked Shots Per Game – Kaitlin Bailey, UVA Wise; 2.00
Field Goal Percentage – Jami Tham, Tusculum; 51.6
Assists Per Game – Caitlin Ross, UVA Wise; 7.6
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio – Megan Landsiedel, Lenoir-Rhyne; 2.50
Steals Per Game – Lyrik Thorne, Catawba; 2.68
Three-Point Field Goal Percentage – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman; 43.7
Free Throw Percentage – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman; 93.0
Team Scoring Offense – Carson-Newman; 74.4
Team Steals Per Game – Catawba; 11.9
Team Field Goal Percentage – Wingate; 45.2
Team FG Percentage Defense – Tusculum; 35.5
Team Assists Per Game – Tusculum; 17.2
Team Rebounds Per Game – Tusuclum; 42.96
Team Blocks Per Game – UVA Wise; 5.4
Team Three-Point FG Percentage – Wingate; 36.8
Team Scoring Defense – Tusculum; 56.0
Team Free Throw Percentage – Lenoir-Rhyne; 77.6
Team Assist-to-Turnover Ratio – Tusculum; 1.14
