HELENA, Mont.—Montana’s Mandy Morales was named the Big Sky Conference most valuable player Tuesday for a second time as the league announced its All-Conference women’s basketball team and individual award winners.
Morales became just the fifth player in Big Sky history to earn first-team accolades all four years of her career. The senior was a unanimous selection to the first team, along with Portland State’s Kelsey Kahle and Claire Faucher. Morales and Faucher were also unanimous first-team selections in 2007-08.
Morales, a three-time honorable mention All-American, was named the Big Sky’s Most Valuable Player for the second time. The 5-9 guard averaged 16.7 points per game overall and 18.3 in league play to help the Lady Griz to their 19th overall and third-straight outright conference title. She leads the Big Sky with an .837 free-throw percentage and ranks fourth in assists per game (4.50) and field goal percentage (.480). Morales ranks in the top 20 in almost every other statistical category.
The native of Billings, Mont., was named the Big Sky Player of the Week five times in 2008-09.
Kahle, a 5-10 forward, was tabbed the defensive player of the year and received first-team honors for the third time in her career with the Vikings. She was an all around threat as she led second-place Portland State in scoring and rebounding.
The senior became Portland State’s all-time leading scoring this season with 1,991 career points, which ranks third in the conference record books. She also moved into first on the Big Sky’s all-time free throws made list with 584. Kahle is currently 11th on the conference’s all-time rebounding list with 850 career boards. She earned Player of the Week honors twice this season.
Weber State’s Sarah Conner garnered top newcomer honors for 2008-09, after averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. The junior transfer from Northeastern Junior College saw action in 28 games this season and started 12 for the Wildcats. Conner shot .780 from the free-throw line and .338 from the field this season.
Montana State’s Katie Bussey was named this year’s Outstanding Freshman. The 5-9 guard saw considerable playing time in her freshman campaign, averaging 24.4 minutes. She scored 10.6 points per game and shot 76.7 percent from the foul line to help the Bobcats to their third-place finish.
The awards were decided following a vote by the league’s nine head coaches.
