WATERVILLE, Maine – The North Atlantic Conference announced its postseason awards for women's basketball on Wednesday and Husson University sophomore Saige Evans and freshman Sophia Carnes headlined Husson's involvement with two major awards.
Evans was crowned NAC player of the year and a first team all-conference selection after a breakout sophomore year. Evans becomes the first sophomore in program history to be crowned conference player of the year after finishing tied for first in the conference in points per game with 16.3, while also placing second in the conference with 9.8 rebounds per game, leading the conference in both total points and total rebounds.
Additionally, Evans ranked second in the NAC in both field goal percentage (44.9%) and free throw percentage (78.0%), while recording 17 double-doubles by the end of the season, which was good for 13th in all of Division III. Evans recorded double-digit point totals in 25 of Husson's 26 games this season, including six 20-point games and one 30-point performance, while winning NAC player of the week six times and Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week three times during the season.
Carnes became Husson's first conference rookie of the year selection since Bailey Donovan in 2020, in addition to the 12th winner all-time for the program. Carnes was a sparkplug off the bench offensively for Husson, showcasing her elite three-point shooting, finishing third in the conference in three-pointers made, while placing fourth on the Eagles with 7.3 points per game. Carnes posted 2.3 rebounds per game and over two assists, in addition to just shy of 1.5 steals in her rookie campaign, which saw her earn NAC rookie of the week twice, MWBCA rookie of the week once and NAC defensive player of the week once.
Sophomore Lilly Roy joined Evans on the first team following a sophomore campaign that saw her finish second on Husson and fifth in the conference in points per game with 14.1. Roy also showcased some elite marksmanship from beyond the arc, finishing sixth in the NAC in three-pointers made, while also adding 4.2 rebounds a night and just shy of two assists. Roy posted 19 double-figure scoring games, including six 20-point games, in addition to one double-double.
Senior Laela Martinez also garnered an all-conference selection for the Eagles this year, earning a spot on the third team. Martinez was the primary ball-handler for Husson this season and one of just two upperclassmen, as she finished the season with eight points per game, ranking third on the team. Martinez led the Eagles with 92 total assists and 55 steals on the season, as she shot 33.5% from the floor and 33.1% from the three-point line, concluding the year with nine double-figuring scoring games on offense and 11 games with at least three steals, including two games of at least five takeaways.
Additionally for Husson, senior Danielle Dow was named to the NAC sportsmanship team.
