KIRWAN, O'DWYER, OCKIMEY RECEIVE POST-SEASON GNAC HONORS
Feb. 28, 2012
After completing a perfect 13-0 conference run and winning the program’s sixth-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship, three Emmanuel Women’s Basketball players received post-season GNAC honors. Leading the way was senior guard Meghan Kirwan (Melrose, Mass.) who landed a spot on the 1st Team All-Conference and was named the 2012 GNAC Player of the Year. Joining Kirwan on the 1st Team was junior forward Fiona O’Dwyer (Stamford, Conn.). Senior guard Breanna Ockimey (Philadelphia, Pa.) represented the Saints on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
Kirwan has led the 2012 Emmanuel squad to a 22-6 overall record, as the Saints will make the program’s 17th NCAA Tournament appearance this Friday evening. The senior co-captain started in 27 of 28 games so far this year and is averaging big numbers in all four major statistical categories for the Saints. Kirwan is the Saints’ second leading scorer, netting 13.8 points per game, and the team’s third leading rebounder, grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game. She also is Emmanuel’s leader in both assists (4.0 apg) and steals (2.8 spg). Most impressively, Kirwan leads the Saints and is ranked 5th in the GNAC in field goal percentage, shooting 51% from the floor, as she has knocked down 149 of her 292 shots on the year.
Kirwan is receiving 1st Team All-GNAC honors for the second-straight year. After three Player of the Week nods this season and a GNAC Tournament MVP selection on Saturday, the fourteen GNAC women’s basketball coaches also voted Kirwan the conference’s Player of the Year for 2012.
O’Dwyer is joining Kirwan on the conference’s 1st Team. This is her second-straight All-Conference recognition, as she was named 3rd Team All-GNAC as a sophomore. O’Dwyer is Emmanuel’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 14.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per night. She is among the conference’s leaders is both categories, ranking 9th in scoring and 4th in rebounding. O’Dwyer has shot 46% (186-409) from the floor for the season and has blocked 24 shots this year.
O’Dwyer’s honors this season include being named the GNAC Player of the Week three times and to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll three times. She was voted to both the EC Saints Invitational All-Tournament Team and to the GNAC All-Tournament Team. O’Dwyer grabbed her 500th career rebound earlier this season and is now just 35 points shy of 1,000 for her collegiate career.
Ockimey was also honored by the GNAC, as the senior co-captain was named to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team. One player from each of the conference’s fourteen institutions represents their program on a team designated for those who have displayed the greatest showing of sportsmanship this season. After an incredible run during the GNAC Tournament last week, Ockimey was also voted to the GNAC All-Tournament Team. She is Emmanuel’s 4th leading scorer and the Saints’ top outside shooter, as she has drained 34 three-pointers this season.
Kirwan, O’Dwyer and Ockimey will be back in action with the Saints this Friday, when they enter the Regional Round of the Division III NCAA Tournament. Emmanuel will travel to Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I. to take on Hartwick College on Friday evening (3/2).
GNAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 2012 ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS
First Team
Meghan Kirwan - Emmanuel, Sr. (Melrose, MA)
Fiona O'Dwyer – Emmanuel, Jr. (Stamford, CT)
Deanna Purcell – Rivier, Fr. (Hudson, NH)
Amandra Purcell – Rivier, Sr. (Hudson NH)
Ashley Geel - Saint Joseph's (ME), Sr. (St.George, ME)
Second Team
Olivia Dinucci – Emerson, Jr. (Pittsburgh, PA)
Shannon Wood - Mount Ida, Sr. (Gorham ME)
Aliah Curry – Norwich, Fr. (Windsor, MA)
Megan McDevitt - Saint Joseph's (ME), Sr. (Cumberland, ME)
Jacqueline Vienneau – Suffolk, Jr. (Salem, NH)
Third Team
Lianna Carrero - Albertus Magnus, So. (Hamden, CT)
Bianca Brown - Albertus Magnus, Sr. (West Haven, CT)
Jenna Juron - Johnson & Wales, So. (Burnt Hills, NY)
Therline Dumeran - Pine Manor, Sr. (Cambridge, MA)
Mary Hyde - Saint Joseph (CT), So. (Derby, CT)
Player of the Year - Meghan Kirwan (Emmanuel)
Rookie of the Year - Deanna Purcell (Rivier)
Defensive Player of the Year - Jeileen Rivera (Mount Ida)
Coach of the Year - Paul Williams (Rivier )