.png&type=webp)
Bowling Green State University Athletics
Curt Miller was named MAC Coach of the Year for a record sixth time, & senior Jessica Slagle was named to the all-league second team (photo by Doug Sampson)
Curt Miller Named MAC Coach of the Year for a Record Sixth Time
March 06, 2012 | Women's Basketball
Rogers chosen to All-MAC First Team; Slagle, Steffen and Matthews also honored
Bowling Green State University women's basketball coach Curt Miller has been named the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year for a league-record sixth time. The All-MAC Team and the league's specialty awards were announced by the league office on Tuesday morning (March 6).
Additionally, four of Miller's players earned all-conference honors as well. Redshirt sophomore Alexis Rogers was named to the All-MAC First Team, while senior Jessica Slagle and junior Chrissy Steffen each were voted to the all-league second team. Jasmine Matthews was chosen to the MAC's All-Freshman Team.
All four players earn all-conference accolades for the first time in their respective BGSU careers. Miller, as mentioned, is the MAC's C-O-Y for the sixth time in his 11th year with the Falcons.
Miller and his staff have performed one of the finest coaching jobs of their BGSU tenure in 2011-12. After losing six seniors – including four starters – from last year's team, Miller and Company had nine freshman and sophomores on the '11-12 roster. Only one player, Steffen, had ever started a collegiate game prior to the season opener. But, Miller guided the Brown and Orange to a 14-2 MAC record and the program's eighth consecutive division title. And, BGSU won the MAC's overall regular-season title outright for the seventh time in those eight seasons.
Miller enters the MAC Tournament with a record of 258-90 (.741) in his head-coaching career, all with the Falcons. In conference regular-season play, the Girard, Pa., native has guided the Brown and Orange to a 135-41 mark (.767).
Miller wins the 2012 award after being named the MAC Coach of the Year in five consecutive seasons from 2005-09. No other coach ever has won it more than twice in a row. As mentioned, Miller's total of six C-O-Y awards is the most of any MAC mentor. Former Toledo coach Mark Ehlen won the award on four occasions, and no other coach in MAC history has earned the honor more than twice.
Rogers, a native of West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West H.S.), has been named to the all-league first team in her first playing season with the Falcons. A transfer from Duke Univ., she ranks second on the team in scoring, with 12.3 points per game, and leads the Falcons in rebounding, with 8.6 boards per game. Rogers led the Falcons in both categories in conference games, with 15.1 ppg and 9.6 rpg, and she was the only player ranked among the top-five in the MAC in both categories. In MAC games, Rogers finished fourth in scoring and second in rebounding.
Rogers has nine double-doubles this season to date, including seven in MAC play. She ranks second on the Falcons with 1.7 steals per game, and has a team-leading 92 offensive rebounds. Additionally, Rogers has stepped outside the arc to make 17 three-point field goals this season, tying her for third on the Falcons.
Slagle, a native of Sidney, Ohio (Lehman Catholic H.S.), has 11.8 points per game on the year. After scoring in double digits five times over her first three seasons, the tri-captain has 17 double-figure games this year, including 13 in the last 19 games. Slagle has 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game, leading BG in the former and ranking fourth in the latter. She leads the team in free throws made and attempted (105-of-141) as well as free-throw percentage (.745).
In MAC games, Slagle averaged 13.4 ppg to rank second on the team, and she led the Falcons with 3.1 assists per outing against league foes.
Steffen, a native of Carmel, Ind. (Carmel H.S.), leads the Brown and Orange in scoring, with 13.2 ppg, and she also has 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals per contest. Steffen tops the team in steals, and she is second in assists and third in rebounding. She has a team-leading 20 double-digit scoring games this year, including a BG-best six games of 20 points or more, and has made 48 three-pointers to pace the Falcons in that category as well.
Steffen had 12.1 points and 5.8 boards per game in MAC contests, ranking third on the team in both categories. The lone returning starter from last year's team, she has a career total of 827 points to lead all active Falcons.
Matthews, a native of Matteson, Ill. (Marian Catholic H.S.), is averaging 6.7 points per game this year, and is second on the Falcons with 45 three-pointers made. She has shot 32.6 percent from long range, and has keyed a BGSU defensive effort which has seen the Falcons hold the opponent under its scoring average in 13 of the 16 league games.
Matthews had 8.0 ppg in MAC contests, and led the team with 29 long-range makes in league action. She has averaged 8.1 ppg since moving into the starting lineup 19 games ago.
Eastern Michigan's Tavelyn James was named the MAC's Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season, while Northern Illinois newcomer Claire Jakubicek was voted the conference's freshman of the year.
Toledo's Andola Dortch was named the MAC's Defensive Player of the Year, while Central Michigan's Jalisa Olive won the MAC Sixth-Player-of-the-Year award.
Rogers was joined on the All-MAC First Team by James, Buffalo's Brittany Hedderson, Miami's Courtney Osborn and Ohio's Tenishia Benson.
The second team consisted of the BGSU duo of Slagle and Steffen, along with Dortch and UT teammate Yolanda Richardson and Akron's Sina King.
The third team included Eastern Michigan's Paige Redditt and Natachia Watkins, the Miami tandem of Maggie Boyer and Kirsten Olowinski and UT's Courtney Ingersoll. Honorable mention went to UA's Taylor Ruper, Central Michigan's Crystal Bradford and Taylor Johnson, Kent State's Diamon Beckford and Western Michigan's Maria Iaquaniello.
Matthews was joined on the All-Freshman Team by Jakubicek and the CMU trio of Bradford, Jessica Green and Jas'Mine Bracey.
The Falcons, 24-5 overall, finished the regular season with a MAC record of 14-2, an eighth consecutive divisional title and a seventh outright league title in those eight seasons. BGSU earned a triple bye for the MAC Tournament, and the Falcons will face an opponent to be determined in league tourney semifinal-round action on Friday (March 9) afternoon in downtown Cleveland. Top-seeded BGSU will meet either fourth-seeded Miami, fifth-seeded CMU or eighth-seeded Ohio in that game, with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.
The complete list of 2012 conference women's basketball awards follows ...
2012 ALL-MAC SELECTIONS AND SPECIALTY AWARDS
First Team
Alexis Rogers, Bowling Green, Forward
Brittany Hedderson, Buffalo, Guard
Tavelyn James, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Courtney Osborn, Miami, Guard
Tenishia Benson, Ohio, Guard
Second Team
Sina King, Akron, Forward
Jessica Slagle, Bowling Green, Point Guard
Chrissy Steffen, Bowling Green, Guard
Andola Dortch, Toledo, Guard
Yolanda Richardson, Toledo Center
Third Team
Paige Redditt, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Natachia Watkins, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Kirsten Olowinski, Miami, Forward
Maggie Boyer, Miami, Guard
Courtney Ingersoll, Toledo, Guard
Honorable Mention
Taylor Ruper, Akron, Guard
Taylor Johnson, Central Michigan, Forward
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan, Guard/Forward
Diamon Beckford, Kent State, Forward
Maria Iaquaniello, Western Michigan, Guard
All-Freshman Team
Jasmine Matthews, Bowling Green, Guard
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan, Guard/Forward
Jessica Green, Central Michigan, Guard
Jas'Mine Bracey, Central Michigan, Center
Claire Jakubicek, Northern Illinois, Forward
Defensive Player of the Year
Andola Dortch, Toledo, Guard
Sixth Player of the Year
Jalisa Olive, Central Michigan, Guard
Freshman of the Year
Claire Jakubicek, Northern Illinois, Forward
Player of the Year
Tavelyn James, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Coach of the Year
Curt Miller, Bowling Green
Additionally, four of Miller's players earned all-conference honors as well. Redshirt sophomore Alexis Rogers was named to the All-MAC First Team, while senior Jessica Slagle and junior Chrissy Steffen each were voted to the all-league second team. Jasmine Matthews was chosen to the MAC's All-Freshman Team.
All four players earn all-conference accolades for the first time in their respective BGSU careers. Miller, as mentioned, is the MAC's C-O-Y for the sixth time in his 11th year with the Falcons.
Miller and his staff have performed one of the finest coaching jobs of their BGSU tenure in 2011-12. After losing six seniors – including four starters – from last year's team, Miller and Company had nine freshman and sophomores on the '11-12 roster. Only one player, Steffen, had ever started a collegiate game prior to the season opener. But, Miller guided the Brown and Orange to a 14-2 MAC record and the program's eighth consecutive division title. And, BGSU won the MAC's overall regular-season title outright for the seventh time in those eight seasons.
Miller enters the MAC Tournament with a record of 258-90 (.741) in his head-coaching career, all with the Falcons. In conference regular-season play, the Girard, Pa., native has guided the Brown and Orange to a 135-41 mark (.767).
Miller wins the 2012 award after being named the MAC Coach of the Year in five consecutive seasons from 2005-09. No other coach ever has won it more than twice in a row. As mentioned, Miller's total of six C-O-Y awards is the most of any MAC mentor. Former Toledo coach Mark Ehlen won the award on four occasions, and no other coach in MAC history has earned the honor more than twice.
Rogers has nine double-doubles this season to date, including seven in MAC play. She ranks second on the Falcons with 1.7 steals per game, and has a team-leading 92 offensive rebounds. Additionally, Rogers has stepped outside the arc to make 17 three-point field goals this season, tying her for third on the Falcons.
In MAC games, Slagle averaged 13.4 ppg to rank second on the team, and she led the Falcons with 3.1 assists per outing against league foes.
Steffen, a native of Carmel, Ind. (Carmel H.S.), leads the Brown and Orange in scoring, with 13.2 ppg, and she also has 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals per contest. Steffen tops the team in steals, and she is second in assists and third in rebounding. She has a team-leading 20 double-digit scoring games this year, including a BG-best six games of 20 points or more, and has made 48 three-pointers to pace the Falcons in that category as well.
Matthews, a native of Matteson, Ill. (Marian Catholic H.S.), is averaging 6.7 points per game this year, and is second on the Falcons with 45 three-pointers made. She has shot 32.6 percent from long range, and has keyed a BGSU defensive effort which has seen the Falcons hold the opponent under its scoring average in 13 of the 16 league games.
Matthews had 8.0 ppg in MAC contests, and led the team with 29 long-range makes in league action. She has averaged 8.1 ppg since moving into the starting lineup 19 games ago.
Toledo's Andola Dortch was named the MAC's Defensive Player of the Year, while Central Michigan's Jalisa Olive won the MAC Sixth-Player-of-the-Year award.
Rogers was joined on the All-MAC First Team by James, Buffalo's Brittany Hedderson, Miami's Courtney Osborn and Ohio's Tenishia Benson.
The second team consisted of the BGSU duo of Slagle and Steffen, along with Dortch and UT teammate Yolanda Richardson and Akron's Sina King.
The third team included Eastern Michigan's Paige Redditt and Natachia Watkins, the Miami tandem of Maggie Boyer and Kirsten Olowinski and UT's Courtney Ingersoll. Honorable mention went to UA's Taylor Ruper, Central Michigan's Crystal Bradford and Taylor Johnson, Kent State's Diamon Beckford and Western Michigan's Maria Iaquaniello.
Matthews was joined on the All-Freshman Team by Jakubicek and the CMU trio of Bradford, Jessica Green and Jas'Mine Bracey.
The Falcons, 24-5 overall, finished the regular season with a MAC record of 14-2, an eighth consecutive divisional title and a seventh outright league title in those eight seasons. BGSU earned a triple bye for the MAC Tournament, and the Falcons will face an opponent to be determined in league tourney semifinal-round action on Friday (March 9) afternoon in downtown Cleveland. Top-seeded BGSU will meet either fourth-seeded Miami, fifth-seeded CMU or eighth-seeded Ohio in that game, with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.
The complete list of 2012 conference women's basketball awards follows ...
2012 ALL-MAC SELECTIONS AND SPECIALTY AWARDS
First Team
Alexis Rogers, Bowling Green, Forward
Brittany Hedderson, Buffalo, Guard
Tavelyn James, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Courtney Osborn, Miami, Guard
Tenishia Benson, Ohio, Guard
Second Team
Sina King, Akron, Forward
Jessica Slagle, Bowling Green, Point Guard
Chrissy Steffen, Bowling Green, Guard
Andola Dortch, Toledo, Guard
Yolanda Richardson, Toledo Center
Third Team
Paige Redditt, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Natachia Watkins, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Kirsten Olowinski, Miami, Forward
Maggie Boyer, Miami, Guard
Courtney Ingersoll, Toledo, Guard
Honorable Mention
Taylor Ruper, Akron, Guard
Taylor Johnson, Central Michigan, Forward
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan, Guard/Forward
Diamon Beckford, Kent State, Forward
Maria Iaquaniello, Western Michigan, Guard
All-Freshman Team
Jasmine Matthews, Bowling Green, Guard
Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan, Guard/Forward
Jessica Green, Central Michigan, Guard
Jas'Mine Bracey, Central Michigan, Center
Claire Jakubicek, Northern Illinois, Forward
Defensive Player of the Year
Andola Dortch, Toledo, Guard
Sixth Player of the Year
Jalisa Olive, Central Michigan, Guard
Freshman of the Year
Claire Jakubicek, Northern Illinois, Forward
Player of the Year
Tavelyn James, Eastern Michigan, Guard
Coach of the Year
Curt Miller, Bowling Green
BG WBB : Postgame Interviews 12.20
Sunday, December 21
BG WBB : Postgame Interviews 12.16
Tuesday, December 16
BG WBB : Postgame Interviews 12.14
Sunday, December 14
BG WBB : Postgame Interviews 12.7
Monday, December 08