OSU's Riley unanimous All-Big 12 first team pick

By Scott Nulph Stillwater NewsPress

STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State senior point guard Andrea Riley will go down as one of the most decorated players in Big 12 women’s basketball history. She’ll also go down as one of the rare three-time first-team All-Big 12 picks.

Riley was a unanimous choice on Monday for the first team as the All-Big 12 awards were announced. The awards were chosen by the Big 12 coaches.

Riley was one of four unanimous choices on the All-Big first team. Joining her was guard Alison Lacey of Iowa State, forward Kelsey Griffin of Nebraska and guard Danielle Robinson of Oklahoma.

Griffin earned Player of the Year honors in leading the Cornhuskers to an undefeated season and a perfect 16-0 mark in Big 12 play.

Also making the first team were center Brittney Griner of Baylor, forward Ashley Sweat of Kansas State, forward Cory Montgomery of Nebraska, guard Yvonne Turner of Nebraska, forward Amanda Thompson of Oklahoma and guard Tanisha Smith of Texas A&M.

Riley currently leads the Big 12 in scoring at 25.5 points, the third straight year the Dallas native will lead the conference in scoring. That feat has never been accomplished before in Big 12 history. Riley needs just 38 points to pass former Oklahoma standout Courtney Paris for the league’s all-time scoring record.

Riley also leads the conference with 6.7 assists. Her point and assist totals rank third and fourth, respectively, in the nation and she’s the only play in the country to rank the top five in both categories.

“There’s no question that if Nebraska doesn’t have the year they have and Kelsey Griffin doesn’t have the year she had while playing a major role on that team, that Andrea would be player of the year in this conference,” OSU coach Kurt Budke said. “The best player on the best team usually wins that award and it’s very deserving. For Andrea, all-conference again, leading scorer in the Big 12 again, just adds to her resume on what a great career she’s had.”

Also for the Cowgirls, senior Tegan Cunningham was named All-Big 12 second team.

Cunningham has played a major role in the Cowgirls’ success this season, averaging 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. Cunningham ranks eighth in the Big 12 in scoring and 10th in rebounding. The Melbourne, Australia, native is also fifth in the league in 3-point field goal percentage and minutes played this season.

Together Riley and Cunningham have formed one of the top scoring duos in Division I basketball.

“To be in the top 10 in points and rebounding says a lot about what she’s done for this team,” said Budke of Cunningham. “It’s very well deserved. I’m glad the other coaches saw it, too.”

No. 20 Oklahoma State (21-9) begins Big 12 tournament play on Thursday as the No. 7 seed by playing No. 10 seed Kansas at 5 p.m. at Municipal Arena in Kansas City.

 

BIG 12 AWARDS



Player of the Year: Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska



Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Brittney Griner, Baylor and Yvonne Turner, Nebraska



Newcomer of the Year: Danielle Adams, Texas A&M



Freshman of the Year: Brittney Griner, Baylor



Sixth Man of the Year: Bianca Smith, Colorado



Coach of the Year: Connie Yori, Nebraska



All-Big 12 First Team: C Brittney Griner, Baylor; G Alison Lacey, Iowa State; G Ashley Sweat, Kansas State; F Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska; F Cory Montgomery, Nebraska; G Yavonne Turner, Nebraska; G Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma; F Amanda Thompson, Oklahoma; G Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State; G Tanisha Smith, Texas A&M.



All-Big 12 Second Team: G Danielle McCray, Kansas; F Nyesha Stevenson, Oklahoma; F Tegan Cunningham, Oklahoma State; G Brittianey Raven, Texas; F Danielle Adams, Texas A&M.



All-Big 12 Honorable Mention: Kelli Griffin, Baylor; Morghan Medlock, Baylor; Brittany Spear, Colorado; Kelsey Bolte, Iowa State; RaeShara Brown, Missouri; Jessra Johnson, Missouri; Dominique Kelley, Nebraska; Ashleigh Fontenette, Texas; Kathleen Nash, Texas; Sydney Carter, Texas A&M; Jordan Murphree, Texas Tech; Ashley Roberson, Texas Tech.



All-Big 12 Freshman Team: C Brittney Griner, Baylor; C Anna Prins, Iowa State; G Carolyn Davis, Kansas; G Lindsey Moore, Nebraska; C Cokie Reed, Texas

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