March 30, 2008

Scott Named Women's Basketball Most Valuable Player, Seniors Honored at Banquet

    Youngstown -- Junior Tiara Scott was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2007-08 Youngstown State women's basketball team and seniors Lauren Branson, Heather Karner, Kira Mowen and Jessica Schloemp were honored Sunday at the annual women's basketball awards banquet at Cassese's Mahoning Valley Restaurant.

    Scott, a junior-college transfer, was named to the All-Horizon League Second-Team and All-Newcomer Team after averaging 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Scott also led the Guins in scoring with 15 points per game against Horizon League opponents.

    Scott also led the Penguins with a .545 field-goal percentage, which ranks seventh on the YSU single-season chart.

    Branson, a Horizon League All-Defensive Team selection in 2007-08, was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year and led the team with 55 steals and 167 assists.

    Junior Velissa Vaughn earned the Most Improved Player Award after starting 15 of the last 16 games and ranking third on the team with 7.9 points per game overall and 11.4 points per game against Horizon League foes.

    Karner, the team's leading scorer with 14 points per game, garnered the Dedication Award. Karner spent countless hours in the gym before and after practice to work on her shooting. She set a school record with 87 3-pointers in 2007-08 and ranks sixth all-time with 139 career 3-pointers.

    Mowen, who played in 17 games, earned the Spirit Award.

    Schloemp picked up the Penguin Hustle Award after leading the team and ranking second in the Horizon League with 7.2 rebounds per game. Schloemp also finished her career with 618 rebounds, which rank 10th on the all-time list.