Oakland University

March 1, 2012

ELMHURST, Ill.--Oakland's Bethany Watterworth earned All-Summit League first team honors, which were announced by the league office on Thursday following a vote by the league's coaches, sports information personnel and select media members. Watterworth ranks third in scoring in The Summit League and is 27th in the NCAA.

"I think it's a great team honor," said Watterworth. "I wouldn't be in the position to win this award without the work of my teammates. It's nice to be recognized as an individual, but I want to emphasize the team aspect of this award."

Watterworth is a three-time All-Summit League selection and earns first team all-league honors for the second consecutive season. The junior forward from Lake Orion, Mich. led OU with 18.9 points per game and ranks ninth in school history with 1,487 points.In addition to scoring she provided the Golden Grizzlies with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one block per game.

Oral Roberts' Kevi Luper was named Summit League Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, while Jodie Boss of South Dakota picked up Defensive Player of the Year honors. Saaule Kontautaite from Western Illinois was the league Newcomer of the Year and LeAndrea Thomas from UMKC picked up Sixth Woman of the Year acolades. Aaron Johnston of South Dakota State was named Coach of the Year.

Watterworth and her Oakland teammates will return to action on Sunday against No. 3 seed UMKC in the quarterfinals of The Summit League Championship from the Sioux Falls Arena at 3:30 p.m. ET.

-OAKLAND-

2012 Summit League Women's Basketball Awards

FIRST TEAM
Name, School, Pos., Yr.
Dayon Hall-Jones, UMKC, G, Sr.
Amber Hegge, South Dakota, F, Sr.
Kevi Luper, Oral Roberts, G, Jr.
Kerah Nelson, IUPUI, F, Jr.
Jennie Sunnarborg, South Dakota State, F/C, Sr.
Bethany Watterworth, Oakland, F/C, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION
Anne Boese, IPFW, G, Sr.
Jodie Boss, South Dakota, C, Sr.
Carli Moreland, Southern Utah, F, So.
Eilise O'Connor, UMKC, G, So.
Abby Plucker, North Dakota State, F, Sr.

ALL-NEWCOMER
Bernadett Balla, Oral Roberts, F, Fr.
Katie Comello, IUPUI, G, So.
Saule Kontautaite, Western Illinois, G, Jr.
Hailey Mandelko, Southern Utah, G, Fr.
Jamie Van Kirk, North Dakota State, G, Fr.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kevi Luper, Oral Roberts

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Saule Kontautaite, Western Illinois

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jodie Boss, South Dakota

SIXTH WOMAN OF THE YEAR
LeAndrea Thomas, UMKC

COACH OF THE YEAR
Aaron Johnston, South Dakota State