Courtesy University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Athletics Department
On Friday, the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2013 Women’s All- SWAC selections. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Lady Lions basketball team had two players to receive honors; Chigozianyi Okwumabua, a senior from Memphis, TN, (1st team All- SWAC) and Lakendra Marsh, a senior from Smackover, AR, (3rd team All- SWAC), while first year head coach Nate Kilbert was selected as the Coach of the Year.
Kilbert, who led the Mississippi Valley Delta Devilettes to 2012 SWAC regular season championship, was also the 2012 SWAC Coach of the Year. Kilbert was able to turn around a women’s basketball program around that had only won two games in the last two years. This year alone the Lady Lions have won 11 ball games and are preparing to head to Garland, TX, to compete for this year’s tournament crown.
“I give all the credit to the girls. Without them none of our success as a team would’ve been possible”, said Kilbert when asked about the post season recognition. “I’m grateful for the honor. I hope this can be used as motivation looking forward into the tournament”, Kilbert added.
When Kilbert was asked about the one difference between last year’s team and this year’s team, the coach had this to offer, “We simply demanded more, because we knew the girls could give more. Once again these awards are all about the girls.”
Okwumabua, who was selected to the 2013 All-SWAC first team, led the Lady Lions in scoring (11.7 avg. per game) and rebounding (5.1 avg. per game). She was also a 2012-13 second team pre-season selection.
Marsh, who earned a third team selection, led the Lady Lions in three point field goal percentage (.356 avg.) and free throw percentage (. 824 avg.).
Both Okwumabua and Marsh are ranked in the top ten in numerous SWAC statistical categories.
Also in sports wire service unrelated to the SWAC, Okwumabua was selected to the College Sports Madness 2013 All- SWAC second team.
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