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OREM, UT – NJIT junior Jessica Gerald was named to the 2009-10 women’s basketball Great West Conference first team, the league announced Wednesday.
Gerald, a 5-foot-10 guard, ranks second among individual leaders in points per game (15.9ppg) while leading the Highlanders with 437 points.
She averaged (16.3ppg) in 10 games vs. Great West Conference opponents, including eight double-figure games (two 30-point and 20-point performances).
Overall, she recorded double-digits in 21 out of 28 games with a season-high 34 points vs. Texas-Pan American (2/20). She recorded her 1,000 points against Houston Baptist on February 18 and stands fifth on NJIT all-time scoring list with 1,123.
Gerald was also named Great West Conference Player of the Week once this season for her outstanding performance.
Senior forward Taiwo Oyelola earned Honorable Mention recognition. Taiwo, ranks sixth among individual leaders in rebounds per game (5.3rpg) while leading NJIT on the boards with 179 rebounds and 52 steals. She also ranks third in free throw percentage (98-133; .761).
Taiwo posted three double-doubles this season and set the NJIT Division I individual single-game record grabbing 14 rebounds at North Dakota on February 23.
North Dakota’s Kayla Bagaason was named Player of the Year; Texas-Pan American’s Biance Torre was named Newcomer of the Year and Rose Esther Jean tabbed Defensive Player of the Year; North Dakota’s Alys Seay earned Sixth Woman Award while North Dakota’s Gene Roebuck was named Coach of the Year.
NJIT is set to meet South Dakota in the opening round of the 2010 Great West Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 11 at 2:30pm at the UVU Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley University.