March 24, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss women's basketball sophomore forward Pauline Love (Luxora, Ark.) has been named as one of three finalists for the inaugural Cellular South Gillom Trophy in an announcement today. The award goes to the top women's basketball player in the state of Mississippi.

Delta State senior guard Jennifer Rushing of Hollandale, Miss., and Ole Miss junior forward Shawn Goff of Tallahassee, Fla., represent the other two finalists.

Love, a first-team All-Conference USA performer, averages 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this season and has a league-leading 19 double-doubles in 33 games. She has helped lead the Lady Eagles to their first 20-win season since 1995-96 and currently is playing in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Southern Miss plays host to Mississippi State tonight at 7 p.m., at Reed Green Coliseum. For tickets, call 1-800-844-TICK or go online at SouthernMiss.com.

On the men's side, senior center Dwayne Curtis of Ole Miss, junior guard Jamont Gordon and senior forward Charles Rhodes, both of Mississippi State, represent the three finalists for the Cellular South Howell Trophy.

Other players receiving votes for the Cellular South Gillom Trophy are: Carla Bartee and Elizabeth Robertson of Ole Miss, Lakira Boyd and Bug Cooper of Delta State, LaSharee Christian and Carena Easley of Jackson State, Amber Eugene of Southern Miss, Tysheka Grimes, Alexis Rack and Marneshia Richard of Mississippi State and Fallon Hartfield, Wm. Carey;

For the Cellular South Howell Trophy, Chris Warren of Ole Miss, Jarvis Varnado of Mississippi State, Tyler Winford of Mississippi College and Jeremy Wise of Southern Miss earned votes.

The finalists and eventual recipients of both awards are determined by 41 media voters representing radio, television and print outlets throughout Mississippi.

The six finalists and their coaches are expected to be in attendance Monday March 31, 2008 when the 2008 trophy recipients are announced at the BancorpSouth Conference Center. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m., with the program at 7 p.m. For ticket information, contact the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum at 1-800-280-FAME (3263).