St. John's University Athletics
Da'Shena Stevens Unanimous All-BIG EAST Freshman Team Selection
3/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 5, 2009
HARTFORD, Conn. - St. John's women's basketball player Da'Shena Stevens has been unanimously selected to the All-BIG EAST freshman team, as announced by the league Thursday afternoon.
Stevens, who was the only unanimous selection on the all-rookie team, had a breakout year in 2008-09 with the Red Storm. She finished the regular season as the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 11.7 points. She was St. John's defensive leader, grabbing a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game, while recording 27 blocks to lead the way.
A native of Stamford, Conn., Stevens is listed as one of the best rookies in the BIG EAST, leading her fellow classmates in scoring, while being only one of two freshmen to average double-figures in scoring this season. Additionally, her rebounding average is the second highest among rookies, and she ranks fifth with 0.93 blocks per game and is tied for sixth with 1.1 steals per game. In league games only, she is first in scoring with 11.7 points and is fourth in rebounding with 5.6.
On the season, Stevens has recorded 20 double-digit scoring contests, tying for the team high, and leads the way with three double-doubles.
Stevens had the biggest game of her young career against the No. 1 team in the nation, UConn, on Feb. 11. She scored a game-high 27 points, which are still the most scored by any individual player against the Huskies all season. She also came close to recording a double-double with nine boards.
The forward's efforts have been noticed throughout 2008-09, as she earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors twice and earned All-Met Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Honor Roll accolades.
In addition, guard Monique McLean has been named to the All-BIG EAST second team. The senior, who has played in 23 contests, leads the team in scoring with 17.3 points and is second in rebounding, grabbing 6.3 per game.
The Red Storm opens BIG EAST Championship action on Friday when it takes on Syracuse in the first-round contest at noon.
