Three C-USA Players Taken in WNBA Draft

Sandora Irvin

Three Conference USA standouts were taken in the 2005 WNBA Draft on Saturday in New York City, including two of the first five selections. TCU's Sandora Irvin was chosen by the Phoenix Mercury with the third overall pick, marking the earliest a C-USA player has ever been selected. Two picks later, the Houston Comets made Houston Cougar Sancho Lyttle the fifth selection. DePaul's Jenni Dant was chosen with the second pick of the third round by the Comets to team with Lyttle.

Irvin finished the 2004-05 season averaging 19.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, 2.1 assists and 2.5 steals. She ranked 13th in the nation in scoring, second in rebounding and third in blocked shots. Her 150 blocks fell two shy of tying the NCAA's single-season record.

Irvin owns 10 of TCU's 19 career records including games started (118), field goals made (686), field goals attempted (1,503), free throws made (482), free throws attempted (705), points (1,892), scoring average (14.9), rebounds (1,370), rebounding average (10.8) and blocked shots (480). Her 480 rejections is an NCAA record, as is the 16 she had in one game Jan. 16, 2005, against UAB.

Lyttle was a two-time first team All-Conference USA selection and last year was the nation's leading rebounder. She also helped the Cougars to back-to-back NCAA appearances for the first time in school history.

Dant finished her DePaul career as the only player in school history with at least 1,600 points, 300 assists, 250 steals and 100 three-pointers. She played in 122 career games while leading the program to three consecutive 20-win seasons and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The four-time All-Conference USA honoree finished her career ranked among all-time leaders in games played, points, three-pointers, free throws, free throw attempts, steals and assists. She also totaled 23 career games of at least 20 points including 26 in her final collegiate game against Liberty with a career-best six three-pointers.