BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its women’s basketball postseason awards Wednesday afternoon, with four Gustavus student-athletes receiving recognition. Mikayla Miller (Sr., Goodhue, Minn.) and Miranda Rice (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) were named All-Conference, Ava Gonsorowski (Fy., Esko, Minn.) was named Rookie of the Year, and Kendall Thompson (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) earned honorable mention.
Miller earns her fourth consecutive All-Conference nod as the second-leading scorer on the team, averaging 16.5 points per game with a total of 428 points. Starting in 24 of 26 games played, Miller recorded double-digit scoring numbers in all but three games this season, including a season-high 32 points at St. Catherine with a career-high 13 field goals made Feb. 17. Miller paces Gustavus from long-range, converting 56-of-142 three-point field goals, sinking at least five from beyond the arc three times. Also a member of the MIAC All-Defensive team, Miller leads the team with 73 steals to average 2.8 per game. Miller is the program’s all-time steals leader with 309 in her career. She also has 1,752 career points and is 28 shy of breaking the program record held by Jess Vadnais (2004-08) with 1,779 points.
Rice is a member of the All-Conference team for the second-straight season, leading the Gusties with 465 points (16.6 points per game), 6.4 rebounds per game, and a 53.5 field goal percentage (192-359). Rice is the sole member of the Gustavus squad to have started in every game this season and previously reached the 1,000 career point plateau in December, becoming the 12th Gustie women’s basketball player to do so. Rice scored at least 20 points in six games this season and registered two double-double performances. Rice will play in her 110th career game against Rose-Hulman on Friday, extending her program record for games played.
Gonsorowski has appeared in each game this season for the Black and Gold, starting in 20 while being named the league’s Rookie of the Year and earning a spot on the All-First-Year Team. Gonsorowski averages 4.9 points per game as a first-year guard, compiling 138 points, 56 assists, 47 rebounds, and 23 steals. Gonsorowski twice totaled a season-high 10 points, last coming at St. Thomas last Saturday.
Thompson, a honorable mention honoree, started in 27 of 28 games played this season, averaging 9.3 points per game while leading the team with 110 rebounds. In 14 games this season, Thompson has scored in double figures with two double-double performances. At Augsburg Jan. 17, Thompson notched a career-high 19 points, shooting 7-10 from the field.
Emee Udo (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) was also recognized by the league as she was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. Hannah Spaulding of St. Thomas was named the Player of the Year, Jasmin Bretoi of Bethel was named Sixth Player of the Year, and Mike Durbin of Saint Benedict was named Coach of the Year.