April 24, 2008

Kendra Reed

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis and her staff handed out several awards to players at the annual awards banquet on Thursday night.

Junior Kendra Reed came away with the top honor, the Lady Eagle Award, capturing the second of her career. Reed also received the team award for the top free throw shooter, top three-point field goal shooter and the team's defensive player of the year.

Sophomore Pauline Love received the team's Player of the Year Award as well as the offensive player of the year and the rebounding award. Love finished the season averaging a double-double, leading Conference USA with 19 and was one of three finalist for the 2008 Cellular South Gillom Trophy Mississippi Player of the Year. She was a first-team All-C-USA selection.

Pauline Love

Stephanie Helgeson collected three awards, the most improved player award, top field goal shooter and the blocked shots award. Andrea Barber received the team's playmaker of the year award, in addition to the team's assist and steal awards.

Senior Liz Biland was honored with a senior scrapbook, a framed jersey and a cabbage patch doll donning her uniform and number.

Southern Miss finished the 2007-08 season with a 21-14 record, the first 20-win season since 1995-96 season. The team advanced to the postseason play for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, advancing to the WNIT "Sweet 16" for the first time in school history. The Lady Eagles return all five starters that accounted for 77 percent of the scoring offense and 71 percent of the rebounding for next season.