Women's Basketball: Three Honored by BIG EAST

By Phil Caskey for MSNsportsNET.com
March 8, 2008

HARTFORD, Conn. – Three West Virginia University’s women’s basketball players have garnered all-BIG EAST honors, the league announced yesterday.

Senior center Olayinka Sanni was named to the all-BIG EAST first team for the second consecutive season. The Chicago Heights, Ill., native becomes the first Mountaineer in school history to be named to the league’s first team in multiple seasons.

Senior guard Meg Bulger garnered all-BIG EAST second team honors. A four-time all-BIG EAST honoree during her career, the Pittsburgh native also garnered the BIG EAST’s Sportsmanship Award.

Senior guard LaQuita Owens, a Charlotte, N.C., native, was also named to the all-BIG EAST second team for the second consecutive season.

Connecticut freshman Maya Moore garnered the league’s player and freshman of the year award. Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma and Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman were named the BIG EAST coaches of the year.

No. 3 seed (No. 14 AP/No. 18 USA Today/ESPN Coaches’) West Virginia (23-6, 12-4) returns to action Sunday, March 9, at 8 p.m., at the XL Center, when it takes on the winner of No. 6 Syracuse and No. 11 USF. The contest will be broadcast on ESPNU with Beth Mowins and Brooke Weisbrod on the call.

MSN Radio with Travis Jones and Jay Jacobs will air the game on MSN affiliated stations.

For a complete listing of all BIG EAST award winners, log onto www.bigeast.org