March 7, 2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain West Conference announced its 2004-05 women’s basketball awards today. The league’s eight women’s head coaches picked the all-conference teams, as well as the coach, player, newcomer and defensive awards. The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team won Coach of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and placed one player on each of the three teams, along with one honorable mention candidate.
Don Flanagan won his first ever MWC Coach of the Year award as he led the Lobos to a 23-4 overall record and a 12-2 record in the MWC along with a share of the MWC title. Flanagan is in his 10th season at New Mexico and has an overall record of 214-93 at UNM.
Freshman Dionne Marsh was named the MWC Newcomer of the Year as well as being named third team All-MWC. Marsh scored in double figures in every MWC game and averaged 15.4 ppg in MWC play. Marsh on the season led the team in scoring at 12.2 ppg, and is second in rebounding 5.3 rpg. Marsh also ranks in the top-15 in the MWC in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, free throw percentage blocked shots and offensive rebounds. The freshman is shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 67.8 percent from the free throw line on the season
Senior forward Lindsey Arndt was named first team All-MWC for the second consecutive season. Arndt is second on the team in scoring at 10.9 ppg and leads the team in rebounding at 6.1. Arndt also ranks among the top 15 in the conference in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, blocked shots, offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds. Arndt in just MWC play ranks in the top-15 in nine categories. The senior forward became just the 11th player in UNM history to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds in her career.
Senior guard Mandi Moore was named second team All-MWC for the second consecutive season. Moore is averaging 6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 5.1 apg. Moore ranks among the top 15 in the conference in assists, assists/turnover ratio, steals, and defensive rebounds. Moore is the all-time assists leader in both MWC and UNM history and is the first player male or female in New Mexico history to have 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in her career.
Sophomore guard Katie Montgomery was named honorable mention All-MWC. Montgomery is averaging 7.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 3.6 apg. Montgomery leads the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at 44.3 percent and is first in assists/turnover ratio in MWC games. Montgomery is also ranked in the top-15 of the MWC in 3-point field goals made, assists and assists/turnover ratio.
The full list of MWC Awards is as follows:
First Team All-Mountain West Conference
Shona Thorburn, Utah, Jr., 5-11, G
Kim Smith, Utah, Jr., 6-1, F
Ashley Elliott, Wyoming, Sr., 5-7, G
Lindsey Arndt, New Mexico, Sr., 6-1, F
Julie Sullivan, BYU, Sr., 5-8, G
Second Team All-Mountain West Conference
Sheena Moore, UNLV, Jr., 5-7, G
Mandi Moore, New Mexico, Sr., 5-7, G
RanDee Henry, UNLV, Sr., 6-1, F
Melissa Dennett, Colorado State, Jr., 6-2, F
Hanna Zavecz, Wyoming, Fr., 6-0, F
Third Team All-Mountain West Conference
Dionne Marsh, New Mexico, Fr., 6-1, F
Lindsay Thomas, Colorado State, Jr., 6-3, C
Danielle Cheesman, BYU, Sr., 6-2, F
Lana Sitterud, Utah, Sr., 5-10, G
Kristen Kozlowski, BYU, 6-2, Sr., F
Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference
Alecia Steele, Air Force, Fr., 6-0, F
Katie Montgomery, New Mexico, So., 5-10, G
Michelle Strawberry, San Diego State, Jr., 5-10, G
Erin Hicks, Wyoming, Jr., 5-9, G
Michelle Elliott, San Diego State, So., 5-11, G
Sequoia Holmes, UNLV, Fr., 6-1, F
Ambrosia Anderson, BYU, Jr., 6-2, F
Lauren Henderson, Air Force, Fr., 5-5, G
Co-Players of the Year:Kim Smith, Utah
Shona Thorburn, Utah
Newcomer of the Year:
Dionne Marsh, New Mexico
Defensive Player of the Year:
Lana Sitterud, Utah
Coach of the Year:
Don Flanagan, New Mexico