Lucy Mason Named 2013 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG freshman guard Lucy Mason (Stone Mountain, Ga./Chamblee Charter) has been named the 2013 Southern Conference women's basketball Freshman of the Year by the league's media members. She was also tabbed an All-Freshman Team selection by both the SoCon coaches and media. 

Mason is the first Spartan to earn league freshman of the year accolades since Kristen Boone was recognized during the 2004-05 campaign and the first to garner a spot on the all-freshman team since teammate Janae' Stevenson in 2010-11. 

Mason paced the Spartans this season in scoring at 12.5 points per game and three-point field goals made with 33 while also averaging in double figures in SoCon play at 10.4 points per contest. She has started every game for UNCG in 2012-13 and is the highest scoring rookie in the league by a full six points in all games and by three points in league contests. 

Turning in an impressive debut campaign, Mason opened her collegiate career by scoring a team-best 17 points against Charleston Southern. She netted double figures in points 20 times and led the team in scoring on 10 occasions. Mason's most impressive performance occurred at Wofford where she dropped a career-high 25 points on the Terriers in an 87-75 Spartan victory. She was 9-for-11 from the field while also going 2-for-3 beyond the arc and 5-for-6 at the free throw line. In addition to her offensive output against Wofford, Mason also eclipsed the 20-point plateau against Norfolk State, Florida State and UAB.   

Along with Mason, Dakota Dukes (Davidson), Holli Wilkins (Furman), Tatianna Jackson (Chattanooga) and Lindsay Simpson (Western Carolina) were named to the all-freshman team. Davidson's Sophia Aleksandravicius was selected as Player of the Year, while Chattanooga head coach Wes Moore was named Coach of the Year. 

UNCG opens play at the 2013 Southern Conference Women's Basketball Championship Friday, March 8, when the tenth-seeded Spartans face off against No. 7 seed Furman at Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C. The teams will tip at approximately 1:45 p.m. 

Keep up to date with the UNCG women's basketball team all season by logging on to www.uncgspartans.com and following the Spartans' official twitter feeds @uncgsports and @uncgwbb. 

2013 SoCon Women's Basketball Media Awards

First Team
Anna Freeman, Appalachian State
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Ali Ford, Elon
Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga
Ashlen Dewart, Chattanooga

Second Team
Maryah Sydnor, Appalachian State
Laura Murray, Davidson
Kelsey Evans, Elon
Jazmine Martin, Samford
Daniella Motley, Wofford

All-Freshmen Team
Dakota Dukes, Davidson
Holli Wilkins, Furman
Lucy Mason, UNCG
Tatianna Jackson, Chattanooga
Lindsay Simpson, Western Carolina

Player of the Year
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson

Freshman of the Year
Lucy Mason, UNCG

Coach of the Year
Wes Moore, Chattanooga 

2013 SoCon Women's Basketball Coaches Awards 

All-Conference Team
Anna Freeman, Appalachian State
Maryah Sydnor, Appalachian State
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Laura Murray, Davidson
Ali Ford, Elon
Kelsey Evans, Elon
Jazmine Martin, Samford
Ashlen Dewart, Chattanooga
Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga
Taylor Hall, Chattanooga 

All-Freshman Team
Dakota Dukes, Davidson
Holli Wilkins, Furman
Lucy Mason, UNCG
Tatianna Jackson, Chattanooga
Lindsay Simpson, Western Carolina 

Player of the Year
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson

Coach of the Year
Wes Moore, Chattanooga 

Ann Lashley Inspiration Award
Mariah Masalin, Wofford

- UNCG -