LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (March 9) – California University of Pennsylvania senior guard Brooque Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry) and junior forward Kayla Smith (Elkins, W.Va./Elkins) received All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West First-Team honors for the third time in their careers on Tuesday, announced the league office.
The PSAC West Co-Player of the Year last year, Williams leads the Vulcans and ranks second in the PSAC in scoring with 21.2 points per game this season. The 5-8 senior also leads the conference with 3.9 steals per game and is among the league leaders in rebounding (8.7 per game) and minutes (34.2 per game). Williams became the all-time leading scorer in school history with 2,162 points this season and is one of only two Vulcans to post 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. An All-American last year, she is on pace to become the PSAC’s career leader in steals.
Smith ranks among the Top 10 in the PSAC in six different categories this year, including scoring (15.4 points per game; 9th), rebounds (11.9 per game; 1st), field-goal percentage (50.3 percent (169-of-336); 3rd) and blocks (1.5 per game; 6th). She has been the national leader in rebounds throughout the season and is only 17 rebounds shy of breaking the single-season school record. Smith has posted a staggering 23 double-doubles in 30 games this season and will finish the season as one of only two players in the 16-team PSAC to average a double-double this year, joined by PSAC East Player of the Year Lauren Beckley.
Smith and Williams are joined on the All-PSAC West First Team by Clarion senior Lizzie Suwala, Edinboro senior Samantha Reimer and Gannon seniors Kristina Freeman and Brittany Tabron.
Freeman was selected the PSAC West Player of the Year, while the Golden Knights’ Cleve Wright was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year after leading Gannon to an undefeated regular season and PSAC Tournament Championship. IUP forward Sarah Pastorek rounded out the individual award recipients, as she earned PSAC West Freshman of the Year.
The Vulcans (23-7) open play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 12, when they host seventh-seeded Virginia State (22-6) at Hamer Hall. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start.
