Three From WBB Earn NECC Honors

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Three members of the Mitchell College women's basketball team garnered recognition from the New England Collegiate Conference on Monday afternoon.

Seniors Amanda Garcia and Diamond Thomas both earned spots on the NECC All-Conference Third Team while junior Jessica Shepherd was named to the NECC All-Sportsmanship Team. All awards were determined by a vote of the conference's head coaches.

Garcia nabbed all-conference honors for the third time in her career, as she was a second team pick in 2015 and an honorable mention selection in 2013. She played in 26 games with 17 starts and ranked second on the team in both scoring (11.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg). In addition to recording a team-high five double-doubles, she also ranked eighth in the NECC in field goal percentage (.452) and ninth in total field goals (123).

Thomas earned all-conference recognition for the first time in her career. She played in 26 games with seven starts and led the Mariners in scoring (11.2 ppg), assists (2.7 apg) and total steals (38) while pulling down 4.5 rebounds per game. Her 70 assists also ranked 10th in the NECC, and she shot a career-high 42 percent for the season.

Shepherd battled injury to appear in 17 games with six starts. She averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game and led the Mariners in free throw shooting percentage (.867). She also ranked second in the NECC in assist/turnover ratio (1.5).

Mitchell (16-10 overall) finished tied for second place in the NECC with a league record of 14-4. The Mariners qualified for the 2016 NECC Championship and advanced to the semifinals before falling to Newbury College by a 55-51 final.