George Washington University Athletics
GW Women's Hoops Hands Out 2016 Team Awards
4/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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April 7, 2016
WASHINGTON -- The George Washington women's basketball program celebrated the 2015-16 season on Wednesday evening at its annual end-of-the-year banquet at the City View Room. Four student-athletes were recognized with awards decided by a vote of team members.
Graduate student Lauren Chase was named the team's Most Valuable Player and also repeated as Best Defender. An Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team and All-Defensive Team selection, Chase averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 assists per game -- ranking fourth in the league in helpers -- and also led GW with 47 steals. The only Colonial to start all 33 games or average more than 30 minutes per contest this season, the point guard posted a 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio and stepped up while All-American Jonquel Jones was out with injury, averaging 12.7 points over the final 10 games of the regular season. Chase also played a key role in shutting down the opposing team's best player, including Duquesne's April Robinson, the A-10 Co-Player of the Year, both during the regular-season matchup in Pittsburgh and in the league title game.
Sophomore Brianna Cummings was tabbed the team's Most Improved Player after raising her scoring average by 4.3 points per game from her freshman year. Cummings worked her way into GW's starting lineup and finished the season averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest, including 9.8 points with a .505 field goal percentage against A-10 opponents.
Cummings was also the co-recipient of the team's Academic Success Award, the lone accolade not decided by a vote, as GPA and coursework were both taken into account. Cummings, who boasts a 3.81 grade-point average as a biology major, shares the award with freshman Mei-Lyn Bautista, who has achieved a 3.75 GPA as a business administration major.
Finally, freshman Kelsi Mahoney garnered the Team Spirit Award. In addition, Bautista and Mahoney each received their first GW varsity letters.
GW finished the 2015-16 season with a 26-7 overall mark and 13-3 conference record en route to a share of the A-10 regular-season title and its second straight tournament championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament.
2016 Women's Basketball Award Winners
Most Valuable Player -- Lauren Chase
Best Defender -- Lauren Chase
Most Improved Player -- Brianna Cummings
Team Spirit Award -- Kelsi Mahoney
Academic Success Award -- Brianna Cummings and Mei-Lyn Bautista
