April 14, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's basketball team handed out its team awards this past Saturday at its annual postseason banquet, held in the Green & Gold Room at Bartow Arena.

Senior Diamond Rogers took home top honors by being named the Blazer of the Year (MVP).

UAB is coming off a 14-16 season where it finished third in Conference USA with a 10-6 mark in league play. The Blazers had three players earn all-conference honors at season's end and Rogers was the squad's second consecutive WBCA honorable mention All-American.

"We obviously did not have the kind of season that we wanted," said UAB head coach Audra Smith, "but we overcame a lot of obstacles during the year and still finished third in the conference.

"This is such a special group of young women. It is always nice to get together and honor the players, staff and supporters who give so much to the program during the season."

Rogers, who has racked up numerous honors this season after leading UAB in almost every statistical category, also earned the Chairman of the Boards (8.2 rpg) and Highest Free Throw Percentage (.802) awards. The Jackson, Miss. native was also presented with her first-team All-Conference USA trophy during the festivities.

Freshman guard Amanda Peterson also took home her fair share of hardware, including the team's Newcomer of the Year and Best Conditioned Athlete awards. Peterson, who averaged 8.5 ppg and led UAB in three-point shooting percentage (.354), also received her C-USA Sixth Player of the Year and All-Freshman Team awards.

The Blazers' Most Improved Player award was presented to junior guard Britney Jones. Jones contributed 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg and a team-best 2.7 spg on the year.

Senior guard Crystal McFadden was selected as the team's Best Defensive Player, while also earning her third-team All-C-USA award. McFadden served as one of the team's leaders on and off the floor, adding 13.4 ppg on 41.3 percent shooting for the Blazers.

The Miss Hustle award, which is given to the player who works hard day-in and day-out, was presented to sophomore guard Fatiha Salaam. Salaam added 2.8 points per contest and was one of UAB's and Conference USA's top defensive players.

Senior guard LaKitha Murray was selected for the Unsung Hero award. Murray has played in over 100 games during her UAB career and contributed to the Blazers' program in a multitude of ways.

Freshman guard Kara Johnson earned the team's Academic Award. Johnson has excelled in the classroom for the Blazers, earning a 4.0 GPA in pre-business, while also giving her all to the women's basketball program.

In addition to the individual accolades, the evening concluded with the honoring of this year's senior class. Rogers, McFadden, Murray and Christon Ingram were awarded with their UAB jerseys framed to commemorate their time as a Blazer.