ROCK HILL, S.C. – Anderson University junior Diamond McDowell garnered First Team All-SAC recognition while senior Zamiya Passmore earned Second Team honors as well as SAC Newcomer of the Year Award, released by the league office on Monday morning.
McDowell had a solid regular season for the Black and Gold. The native of Asheboro, N.C., recorded 14 double-doubles on the season while scoring in double-figures in 22 contests and pulling down at least eight rebounds in 21 games.
The SAC First team honoree averaged 16.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. McDowell ranked fourth (10.1) in rebounds and seventh (16.9) in points per game in the SAC.
Passmore garnered Second Team All-SAC and was voted the Newcomer of the Year. The native of Locust Grove, Ga. played rock steady at the point guard position. Passmore averaged 15.9 points per game and a conference best 6.8 assists per game.
Passmore scored in double-digits 24 times, including 10 games with 20 or more points. She dished out five or more assists on 22 occasions while recording three double-doubles.
As a team, the Trojans led the league in points per game (78.1) and team field goal shooting percentage (43.8)
Anderson opens the SAC Tournament on Wednesday as the sixth-seed. The Black and Gold will square off with the third-seeded Eagles of Carson-Newman. Tip-Off in Rock Hill, S.C. is slated for 2:30 pm.
2023-24 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball All-Conference
First Team
Blaikley Crooks, Lenoir-Rhyne
Emily Hege, Wingate
Diamond McDowell, Anderson
Lindsey Taylor, Carson-Newman
Lyrik Thorne, Catawba
Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
Second Team
Hannah Clark, Wingate
Janiya Downs, Catawba
Lauren Flowers, Lincoln Memorial
Emily Harman, Lenoir-Rhyne
Zamiya Passmore, Anderson
Caitlyn Ross, Virginia-Wise
Third Team
Maddie Gillie, Mars Hill
Kalisha Hill, Limestone
Mikeba Jones, Lenoir-Rhyne
Jordan Maney, Lincoln Memorial
Sara McIntosh, Catawba
Breanna Yarber, Emory & Henry
All-Freshman
Trinity Breedlove, Wingate
Ni'Kiah Chesterfield, Tusculum
Gracyn Hall, Emory & Henry
Tateyoina Harris, Mars Hill
Kamari Thompson, Coker
Player of the Year
Lyrik Thorne, Catawba
Newcomer of the Year
Zamiya Passmore, Anderson
Freshman of the Year
Kamari Thompson, Coker
Defensive Player of the Year
Lyrik Thorne, Catawba
Coach of the Year
Terence McCutcheon, Catawba
Statistical Champions
Points Per Game – Lyrik Thorne, Catawba; 20.2
Three-Pointers Per Game – Maddie Gillie, Mars Hill; 3.28
Rebounds Per Game – Kamari Thompson, Coker; 11.6
Blocked Shots Per Game – Tateyoina Harris, Mars Hill; 2.04
Field Goal Percentage – Lindsey Taylor, Carson-Newman; 62.9
Assists Per Game – Zamiya Passmore, Anderson; 6.6
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio – Tori Rutherford, Carson-Newman; 2.32
Steals Per Game – Dasia Lambert, Coker; 2.58
Three-Point Field Goal Percentage – Emily Hege, Wingate; 50.8
Free Throw Percentage – Hannah Clark, Wingate; 92.2
Team Scoring Offense – Anderson; 78.1
Team Steals Per Game – Carson-Newman; 12
Team Field Goal Percentage – Anderson; 43.8
Team FG Percentage Defense – Carson-Newman; 37.2
Team Assists Per Game – Carson-Newman; 18.4
Team Rebounds Per Game – Mars Hill; 43.48
Team Blocks Per Game – Carson-Newman; 4.7
Team Three-Point FG Percentage – Wingate; 41.5
Team Scoring Defense – Lenoir-Rhyne; 61
Team Free Throw Percentage – Wingate; 81.1
Team Assist-to-Turnover Ratio – Carson-Newman; 1.20
