BUFFALO — University at Buffalo women’s basketball senior guard JoAnna Smith earned some pre-season recognition on Wednesday afternoon as she was named 2016-17 Preseason Big 4 Player of the Year, as announced at the Big 4 Media Day. Smith was also named to the first team All-Big 4, as voted on by the media and athletic communications staffs across the Big 4.
Smith was named Big 4 Player of the Year after an outstanding junior campaign in which she averaged career-highs in all major categories. The Southaven, MS native helped lead the Bulls to their first-ever NCAA Tournament as she averaged 18.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while netting a program record 100 three-pointers. The first team All-MAC performer averaged 19.3 points in conference games while also garnering MAC All-Tournament team honors after averaging 19.0 points and 7.8 rebounds over the four-game tournament span.
Joining Smith on the first team was junior point guard Stephanie Reid who flourished into one of the best floor generals in the MAC a season ago. The Melbourne, Australia native finished off her strong sophomore season averaging 10.3 points, 5.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest while earning third team All-MAC honors for the first time in her career. The crafty guard also earned MAC Tournament MVP honors after hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer in the MAC Championship game to send the Bulls to their first NCAA Tournament in program history.
The Bulls saw a pair of post players named to the second team All-Big 4 as senior Cassie Oursler and sophomore Brittany Morrison were selected. Oursler is coming off of a strong first season in a Buffalo jersey as the Robert Morris transfer averaged 8.0 points, a team-high 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while starting 20 games at center. Freshman Brittany Morrison came into her own down the stretch of the regular season and MAC Tournament as she earned the start in the final nine games of the season and played at a high level. The North Ridgeville, OH native averaged 4.4 points and 4.9 rebounds while leading the Bulls in rebounding 10 times in our first season.
The defending MAC champions will return to the hardwood for their regular season opener on Nov. 11 as they host UMass at Alumni Arena at 7 p.m.
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