Erica Ogwumike Named C-USA Preseason Player of the Year

October 17, 2018

Rice junior guard Erica Ogwumike has been named the 2018-19 Preseason C-USA Player of the Year and in addition was selected to the Preseason All-C-USA Team, announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

Ogwumike is the third Preseason C-USA Player of the Year in school history, joining Lauren Neaves (2005) and Jessica Kuster (2012). The reigning C-USA Newcomer of the Year was a C-USA First Team and All-Defensive Team selection last season, while also earning a spot on the C-USA All-Tournament Team. Ogwumike, from Cypress, Texas, ranked fourth in C-USA in scoring (17.9 ppg), third in rebounding (9.3 rpg), and was ninth in steals (1.8 spg).

Ogwumike's 574 points scored last season were the second-most by an Owl in a single season in school history and she was second in C-USA with 15 double-doubles.

2018-19 C-USA Preseason Team

Laia Raventos, Charlotte, Sr.

Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech, Sr.

Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee, Sr.

Terriell Bradley, North Texas, Sr.

Erica Ogwumike, Rice, Jr.

Shonte Hailes, Southern Miss, Jr.

Deanna Kuzmanic, UAB, Sr.

Rachael Childress, UAB, Jr.

In addition to the C-USA Preseason Team, the Owls were picked to finish second in the annual Preseason C-USA Coaches' Poll, picking up five first-place votes to sit just behind UAB at the top of the standings.

2018-19 Preseason C-USA Coaches' Poll (1st place vote in parentheses)

1. UAB (8)
2. Rice (5)
3. Middle Tennessee (1)
4. WKU
5. Charlotte
6. Louisiana Tech
7. North Texas
8. Southern Miss
9. Florida Atlantic
10. UTEP
11. Old Dominion
12. UTSA
13. Marshall
14. FIU

Rice begins the 2018-19 season against Texas A&M in College Station November 7, followed by a road contest, at UCLA, November 11. The Owls will open their regular season home schedule on Tuesday, November 20, against crosstown foe Texas Southern at 7 p.m.

Last year the Owls reeled off 23 wins, the second-most in school history, and advanced to the second round of the WNIT for the first time since 2006. The Owls also reached the semifinals of the C-USA Championship tournament for the first time in 11 years and tied the school record with 13 home victories.

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