April 23, 2009

2009 Philadelphia Big 5 Women's Award Winners

Philadelphia, PA – In light of the Philadelphia Big 5 Women’s Basketball banquet held Thursday night, the Big 5 announced its award winners for the 2008-09 season and senior Margaret Elderton and junior Morgan Robertson were both recognized among the honorees.

Robertson earned a spot on the Big 5 First Team, the Big 5 All-Academic Team and was tabbed the 2008-09 Most Improved Player of the Year, while Elderton repeated her selection to the Big 5 Second Team.

Robertson is only the second Explorer to pick up the Big 5 Most Improved Player award – the first was Carlene Hightower (2004-08) honored after the 2005-06 season. This is Robertson’s fourth academic award she has earned this season; the others include Honorable Mention National Academic Team, regional All-American and Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference.

During the 2008-09 season, she led the team in scoring (12.3), rebounding (8.1), field goal percentage (.433) and free throw shooting (.802). Robertson, who scored a career-high 26 points against Charlotte (2/14), tallied 11 double-doubles this season which tied Jenny McGowen (1992-93) for the single-season school record dating back 27 years.

Elderton, a two-time Second Team All-Big 5 selection, led the Explorers in scoring nine times, assists 15 times and steals eight times during the 2008-09 season and led the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.20).

As a junior, Elderton scored a career-high and set a Tom Gola Arena record when she scored 32 points against Massachusetts on February 6, 2008, which is still the La Salle record.

Robertson will be one of five Explorers returning for her senior season next year.