March 5, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB women's basketball player Amanda Peterson has been named Conference USA's Sixth Player of the Year, the league office announced Wednesday. This marks the second postseason conference accolade for the freshman guard as she was named to the league's All-Freshman team as well.

"This is a great honor for Amanda," said UAB head coach Audra Smith. "She has meant so much to this team and our success this season."

Also picking up individual conference honors were UTEP's Jareica Hughes for Player of the Year, UTEP's Natasha Lacy for Newcomer of the Year, Sharee Shepherd of SMU as Defensive Player of the Year and UCF's Tia Lewis for Freshman of the Year. UTEP head coach Keitha Adams was honored as the league's Coach of the Year.

Peterson played in all 29 regular season games for the Blazers. The Homewood, Ala. native averages 8.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg and is UAB's top threat from beyond the arc.

Peterson has connected on a team-high 60 three-pointers for an average of 2.07 treys per game, the third most in the conference. She ranks eighth in the league with a .353 three-point shooting percentage, hitting 60-of-170 three-point shots.

"Amanda provides us with such a spark coming off the bench," said Smith. "Of course she is known for her three-point shooting, but she does so much more for this team. She gets things going on the offensive end and gives us energy and solid play on the defensive side."

Peterson's honor is the second consecutive Sixth Player of the Year accolade for the Blazers, with junior guard Britney Jones earning the same award a season ago.

The Blazers are preparing to compete for the 2008 Conference USA Tournament Championship in Orlando, Fla. Third-seeded UAB begins its quest for the title at 2:30 p.m. ET Friday when it plays the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 6 Marshall and No. 11 Tulane.