University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Three Lady Eagles Earn Conference USA Honors
3/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 4, 2012
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Southern Miss' sophomore Jamierra Faulkner, junior Tanecka Carey and freshman Nitesha Pierce were among the honorees receiving All-Conference USA accolades.
Faulkner and Carey were named first and second team All-Conference USA while Pierce was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team. The Lady Eagles boast two of the top five scorers in the league.
Faulkner is a huge reason why Southern Miss is steamrolling its way into the postseason after going 6-1 in February. The 5-6 sophomore has played in 27 games and started 26 contests while leading the league and ranking fourth nationally in assists, dishing out 7.3 per game. She also ranks third in scoring with 16.7 points per game while leading her team in steals with 3.2 per outing and free throw percentage (.713). Faulkner scored a career-high 28 points against SMU (2/12).
Faulkner, a West Palm Beach, Fla., has five double-doubles on the year. She also collected a career-high eight steals against UTEP. She tallied 20 or more points in 10 games and 25 games with four or more assists. She was named to the Lady Eagle Classic and Lady Griz Classic all-tournament teams. In C-USA games, Faulkner leads the league in scoring (16.9), assists (7.4) and second in steals (2.9). She also ranks among leaders in field goal percentage, free throw percentage and assist/turnover ratio. She has scored in double figures in 14 games including six games with 20 or more points. She was named C-USA Player of the Week once.
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Pierce has played in all 29 games and started 25 games while averaging 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in her first season. She is second team in field goal percentage. She recorded two double-doubles and scored a season-high 22 points against Tulsa. Pierce pulled down a season-best 11 rebounds against Jacksonville State. She has 10 games with 10 or more points. She recorded two 20-point performances and ranks second among freshmen scorers and rebounders in the league. She also ranks among top 30 in scoring in league games, 14th in rebounding and ninth in field goal percentage. She poured in 20 points against UAB while collecting five or rebounds in 10 games league games. Pierce was named Freshman of the Week once.
C-USA specialty awards will be announced on Monday while the 2012 basketball championship gets underway on Wednesday, March 7 at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse in Memphis, Tenn. For ticket information call 901-678-2331 or log onto www.gotigers.com.
2011-12 CONFERENCE USA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON AWARDSAll-C-USA First TeamRoxana Button, Sr., G, HoustonJasmine Lee, RS-Sr., P, MemphisJessica Kuster, So., F, RiceJamierra Faulkner, So., PG, Southern MissOlivia Grayson, Jr., G, TulaneTaleya Mayberry, Jr., G, TulsaAisha Patrick, Sr., G, UCFGloria Brown, Sr., F, UTEP
All-C-USA Second TeamBrittany Carter, RS-Sr., G, MemphisNicole Dickson, Jr., F, MemphisAkil Simpson, So., F, SMUTanecka Carey, Jr., G, Southern MissBrett Benzio, Sr., C, TulaneKarisma Chapman, So., F, UABAmber Jones, Jr., G, UABKayla Thornton, So., F, UTEP
All-Freshman TeamAmanda Lawson, F, HoustonShay Weaver, G, MarshallChristal Porter, F, RiceDanielle Blagg, G, TulaneNitesha Pierce, F, Southern Miss
All-Defensive TeamRamses Lonlack, Sr., G, MemphisJessica Kuster, So., F, RiceBrett Benzio, Sr., C, TulaneKarisma Chapman, So., F UABGloria Brown, Sr., F, UTEP
