BEAVERTON, Ore. --- Tusculum College junior Jasmine Gunn has been named to the 2010 Women's Division II Bulletin All-America First Team for the first time in her career after leading the Pioneer women's basketball team to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, announced College officials Monday.
Gunn has received numerous individual accolades this season, including Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year and South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year honors while being named to the WBCA/State Farm Coaches' All-America Team. The 4-11 guard was also named the Most Valuable Player of both the NCAA Division II Southeast Region Tournament and the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament.
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Gunn posted a tremendous season for Tusculum, leading the Pioneers to their third straight 20-win season and the program's first NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship. The two-time WBCA All-American is one of two players in the NCAA to rank in the top 35 in scoring, assists and steals in her respective division, entering last week's Elite Eight ranked seventh in the nation in scoring (21.8), 23rd in steals (2.9), and 32nd in assists (4.9).
The Antioch HS graduate scored 20 points or more on 19 occasions this season, recording five 30-point performances and one 40-marker night, while notching four double-doubles and the program's first triple-double in recorded history. Gunn also established a program- and SAC-record with 216 free throws made this season, going a perfect 8-for-8 at the charity stripe in the Southeast Region Championship game against Lander to eclipse the previous conference mark.
Gunn put her talents on display during Tusculum's magical postseason run, averaging 26.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in the seven-game span to finish the season with 713 markers, which is the third-highest single-season total in program history. The 2010 Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year turned in one of the most impressive performances of her career on Mar. 13 against No. 20 Francis Marion, pouring in a South Atlantic Conference-record 45 points on 11-of-15 shooting while setting a pair of NCAA Tournament marks with 23 free throws made and 29 attempts at the charity stripe.
The 2010 SAC Player of the Year jumped nine spots on the program's all-time scoring list this season, currently sitting fifth in school history with 1,619 career points through 95 games. The three-time All-SAC performer also dished out 158 assists this season to climb into third in program history, and sixth on the SAC's all-time list with 528 career helpers. Gunn is currently ranked in the top 10 in nine categories in the program record book, including assists per game (1st/5.6), free throws made (3rd/492), free throws attempted (3rd/625), and steals (3rd/220).
Tusculum is expected to return four of their top five scorers from this season's Southeast Region Championship squad, including Gunn, the reigning SAC Player of the Year. The Pioneers closed out the season winning 14 of their last 17, including the program's first-ever Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament title and first-ever NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship.
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2010 Women's Division II Bulletin All-America Teams
First Team
Johannah Leedham Franklin Pierce
Lauren Beckley Shippensburg
Jasmine Gunn Tusculum
Katie Wysocky Michigan Tech
Cassondra Boston Emporia State
Second Team
Samantha Meissel Indianapolis
Kristina Freeman Gannon
Veronica Walker Delta State
Jheri Booker Minn. Duluth
Phebe Smith Columbus State
Third Team
Donita Adams Glenville St.
Shari Buford Carson Newman
Amelia Simmons Wilmington
Mariesa Greene Barry
Daesha Henderson Seattle Pacific
Fourth Team
Brooque Williams California (Pa.)
Esty Flores Barton
Allison Rosel Fort Lewis
Chelsea Carlisle UC San Diego
Jenny Vining Arkansas Tech
National Player of the Year: Johannah Leedham, Franklin Pierce
