The America East Conference announced their end of season women’s basketball awards on Tuesday. Maine was well represented as Adrianna Smith was named America East Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and also made the All-Academic Team. Anne Simon was also named Second Team All-Conference and All-Academic.
Smith led the conference this season overall with 18.0 points per game and 9.5 rebounds, which also included 15 double doubles (10 in America East). The sophomore became the first player since the 1993-94 campaign (Sheri Turnbull, Vermont) to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in America East play putting up 23.5 points and 10.8 rebounds in 16 league contests. She also scored double figures in 23 of 28 games, including four that were over 30 points. She is also the first sophomore to receive the Player of the Year award since 2016, and was named America East Player of the Week four times. Smith is the third Black Bear in a row to win the Player of the Year, as Simon and Blanca Millan won the last two years and the ninth POY honor in program history. It is the third All-Conference selection for Simon, and her first nod to the All-Conference Second Team. Despite some injuries, Simon appeared in 12 games and eight in conference play and was second on the team in scoring with 12 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and a team-high 1.7 steals. She ranks 10th in program history in scoring, and had six double double performances out of her 12 games played.
Other major awards handed out Tuesday- Kiara Bell from UMBC won Defensive and Newcomer of the Year, Nia Staples also from UMBC won Sixth Player of the Year, Alejandra Zuniga from NJIT took home Rookie of the Year, and Alisa Kresge from Vermont won Coach of the Year.
Third seeded Maine will host six seed Binghamton at the Pit in Orono on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinal round of the America East Playoffs.
Story written by Chris Lessner
