Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Places Two on All-MAC Teams
3/8/2008 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Colleen Russell named Second-Team and Alyssa Pittman garners Honorable Mention accolades
CLEVELAND, Ohio— Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball players Colleen Russell (Windsor, Ontario-FJ Brennan) and Alyssa Pittman (Elkhart, Ind.-Elkhart Memorial) have been named to 2008 All-Mid-American Conference teams. Russell was selected second-team All-MAC and Pittman garnered honorable mention accolades. The All-MAC squads are the result of voting by the league’s head coaches.
Colleen Russell cracks the All-MAC list for the first time in her career after posting a stellar senior campaign. Her scoring increased dramatically in 2007-08, as the 6-foot-5 center surpassed the 500 career points plateau versus Central Michigan, March 5. During her freshman year, Russell tallied just 43 points on the season. As a sophomore she accumulated 56 points, followed by 46 points as a junior. Russell, the MAC’s tallest player, has more than doubled those first three campaigns this season, pouring in 359 points through 28 games.
The Windsor, Onatrio native has started all 28 contests this season and leads the team in scoring (12.8 ppg), free throws made (71), free throws attempted (108) and blocks (40). Russell also ranks second on the squad in field goal percentage (48.0 percent). She is among the top-15 in the MAC in blocks, field goal percentage and scoring. Nationally, Russell is listed 91st in field goal percentage and 94th in blocks according to the most recent NCAA statistics as of March 3, 2008.
Russell has chipped in 19 games with double digits in points this season, including four games with 20 or more points. Just last month versus Akron, Feb. 12, she scored a career-best 36 points. In that game, Russell set a Convocation Center and an EMU team record for free throws made and attempted in a game. Her 36 points were the most since LaTonya Watson scored 36 against Ball State in 1991 and was just one point shy of equaling the school-record 37 points in a single-game.
Now a force to score, Russell has always been a player to affect opposing players shots, ranking fourth in school history with 69 blocks in her career.
Alyssa Pittman, the 2007 MAC Freshman of the Year, started 16 contests this season and leads the team in three-point field goals made (71) and three-point field goals attempted (183), while ranking second on the squad in scoring (12.6 ppg) and fifth in rebounding (3.5 rpg). The 2007-08 preseason All-MAC honoree is among the top-15 in the MAC in scoring, three-point percentage and three pointers made.
Nationally, Pittman is listed 23rd in three point field goals made per game and 40th in three point percentage according to the most recent NCAA statistics as of March 3, 2008.
A sharpshooter from beyond the arc, Pittman has tallied 11 contests this season with three or more treys. Her season-best effort occurred versus Wright State, Nov. 17, when she connected on seven three balls, one shy of the school record.
Eastern Michigan University begins its second season Tuesday afternoon, March 11, when it squares off against either Ohio University or Central Michigan University at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena in the 2008 Kraft MAC Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. The West Division co-champion Eagles are the second seed in the lower bracket of the tournament and enter the game with a mark of 17-11 (11-5 MAC).
The Eagles are 12-13 all-time in 14 previous trips to the MAC Tournament. However, the Eagles are very familiar with the former Gund Arena floor, having posted a 6-5 record, including capturing the 2004 championship.
For those fans who are unable to make it to Cleveland, Ohio for the MAC Tournament, you can still follow all the action on the radio. Brian Nemerovski and Ryan Wooley will call the action on WEMU 89.1 FM. Pregame coverage begins 10 minutes prior to every EMU contest.
2008 ALL-MAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS
First Team
Kate Achter, Guard, Bowling Green
Tiera DeLaHoussaye, Guard, Western Michigan
Porchia Green, Guard, Ball State
Amanda Jackson, Guard, Miami
Lauren Kohn, Forward, Ohio
Second Team
Colleen Russell, Center, Eastern Michigan
Stephanie Bennett, Guard, Buffalo
Whitney Lowe, Forward, Northern Illinois
Lauren Prochaska, Guard, Bowling Green
Jenna Schone, Guard, Miami
Third Team
Julie DeMuth, Forward, Ball State
Anna Kowalska, Center, Kent State
Britni Houghton, Forward, Central Michigan
Laura Markwood, Guard, Miami
Kara Murphy, Guard, Akron
Honorable Mention
Alyssa Pittman, Guard, Eastern Michigan
Chenel Harris, Guard, Kent State
Lisa Rusche, Forward/Center, Ball State
Tamesha Scotton, Guard, Toledo
Heather Turner, Center/Forward, Buffalo
All- Freshman Team
Chenel Harris, Guard, Kent State
Kara Murphy, Guard, Akron
Emily Maggert, Forward/Center, Ball State
Lauren Prochaska, Guard, Bowling Green
Keyla Snowden, Guard, Akron
Coach of the Year: Curt Miller, Bowling Green
Player of the Year: Kate Achter, Bowling Green
Freshman of the Year: Lauren Prochaska, Bowling Green
Defensive Player of the Year: Tiera DeLaHoussaye, Western Michigan
Sixth Player: Emily Maggert, Ball State
