Stephens Named BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year

March 6, 2009

HARTFORD, Conn. - University of Cincinnati senior Jill Stephens (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South) was named the BIG EAST Aeropostale Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference announced on Friday (March 6).

Stephens, who graduated in three years with a degree in communications sciences and disorders, is currently enrolled in UC's audiology doctoral program. A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, Stephens earned the BIG EAST/Aeropostale Institutional Scholar-Athlete award last season.

Stephens is averaging 11.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2008-09. A three-year starter, she became the 22nd player in school history to reach the 1,000 career point mark on Feb. 28 at USF. Stephens led the BIG EAST and ranks 26th nationally in free throw shooting, connecting on 86 percent of her attempts. She shot 53 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range during the regular season and posted a pair of double-doubles. On Feb. 3, Stephens scored a career-high 30 points to become the first UC player to score 30 or more points since the 2003-04 season.

Stephens is the first Bearcat to earn the Scholar-Athlete award. On Thursday, Kahla Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) was named to the all-BIG EAST second team, while Shanasa Sanders (Jacksonville, Fla./Ribault Senior) earned a spot on the all-freshman team.