Thomason, Four Comets Cited By ASC

UTD Women's Coach, Edward & Baker Among East Division Honorees

RICHARDSON, TX - UTD women's basketball coach Polly Thomason and four of her players won top recognition in the American Southwest Conference All-East Division teams announced Monday.

Thomason, who led the Comets to their best record ever (16-10) in just her third season in charge of the program, was named a co-winner of the East Division's Coach of the Year Award. She shared that honor with Paul Allen Duke of Mississippi College and Janice Joseph-Richard of Louisiana College.

Sophomore point guard Chelsea Edwards (pictured, near right) became only the second player in UTD women's basketball history to earn first-team All-ASC East Division honors. Senior guard Ericka Baker (pictured, far right) was chosen the ASC East Division's Defensive Player of the Year. Baker was also a second-team All-East Division selection and both were also selected for the East Division All-Defensive Team for the second year in a row.

In addition to these three, senior Jenise Langston (pictured, near right) was a second-team All-East Division selection while sophomore Lauren Hale (pictured, far right) won honorable mention recognition.

Thomason took over the UTD women's basketball program in 2005 and has compiled a 39-38 record in the three seasons since with a program that had never had a winning record during its first seven years. The Comets advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament for the second straight season this spring, and won four more games (16) than any previous team had ever done.

Edwards was UTD's top scorer and became a force on the boards as well during her second year on the team, averaging 13.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. In addition, she dished out 106 assists during the season, just one short of a school record. A sophomore from Friendswood (Friendswood HS), Edwards was a second-team selection as a freshman.

Baker, who walked on with the Comets as a sophomore, finished up a remarkable three-year career at UTD, earning her second All-Defensive Team recognition. She finished the season averaging 13.5 points per game and 5.6 rebounds.

Langston averaged over 11.7 points during her second and final season with UTD after transfering from Collin County Community Colelge in 2006.

Hale, who was injured early in her freshman season, mounted an impressive comeback during her sophomore season. By the end of the year, she started 14 games and was averaging 9.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. She also set a new school single season record with 51 blocked shots.

To view the entire ASC All-Conference team release, CLICK HERE.