University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Davis named Conference USA Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-Conference; Grayson earns Honorable Mention Honors
3/7/2022 3:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DALLAS – Southern Miss women's basketball picked up a trio of season recognitions as junior Domonique Davis was named the Newcomer of the Year as well as First Team All-Conference, while teammate Melyia Grayson was named Honorable Mention All-Conference announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. "I'm so proud of what these two young ladies have accomplished," head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "They have been catalyst for our team this season and really grown throughout the year to improve their game in multiple facets." Davis becomes just the third Lady Eagle to earn Newcomer of the Year, joining Tanecka Carey ('11-'12) and Tamara Jones ('13-'14), and the 10th to earn Conference USA First Team All-Conference honors. "Dom is a young lady who has a lot of special abilities and an amazing feel for the game," said McNelis of Davis. "She's hit a lot of big shots to win games for us and we're really fortunate to be able to have her. She wants the ball in crunch. She wants to make the play." On the year, Davis ranks in the top 10 in Conference USA in eight different statistical categories, including leading the Lady Eagles with 14.6 points per game and 3.9 assists per game. The DeRidder, La. native dropped a career-high 30 points in the Lady Eagles win over Rice back in January as part of a streak of 13-straight games with Davis scoring in double-digits. Davis hit the game-winner with 0.7 left against FIU, pulling up from the free-throw to put the dagger in the Panthers and finish with 15 points. For Grayson, she leads the Lady Eagles in rebounding with 6.1 boards per game, while ranked second in scoring with 11.3 points per game. The Hattiesburg native has recorded six double-doubles on the year, including a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Florida Atlantic. She becomes just the second Lady Eagle to earn honorable mention honors, and the first since Nedra Hosey back in 1995-96. "I'm so proud of Melyia," added McNelis. "Co-Freshman of the Year last year and receiving honorable mention this year is absolutely awesome. She's had a lot of ups and downs. She's someone that wants to compete every possession and win every time she steps onto the court." The pair will be back in action at the Conference USA tournament on Wednesday against the winner of FAU and FIU. Tipoff from the Ford Center is set for 2 p.m. CT.
