(Posted February 21, 2006)

Huntingdon, Pa. - Juniata College senior women's basketball player Katie O'Brien (South Western/Hanover) has been named second-team All-Commonwealth Conference, as selected by the conference's eight head coaches. This is the first time O'Brien has been selected to the All-Conference team.

O'Brien capped a stellar four-year career during her senior campaign by establishing career-highs in virtually every category as well as finishing in the top-11 in the conference in four major categories. Her 12.1 points per game average ranked her second on the team and 11th among conference players. For the second straight season, she led Juniata in rebounding by averaging 7.2 boards per game, the seventh-highest total in the conference. The senior also led the Eagles in field goal percentage, shooting over 52 percent from the floor, and in blocks, swatting away 38 shots on the season. Those totals rank her third and second, respectively, in the conference.

In a road game against Lebanon Valley this season, O'Brien scored 26 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, both career-bests. The double-double was one of five on the season for the senior and the 10th in her career. She also scored in double figures in over half of her games this season and cracked the 20-point mark four times, a personal best. Twice this season, O'Brien was named the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week.

O'Brien's shot blocking ability landed her a place among Juniata's all-time leaders in the category. The four-year letter winner rejected 84 shots in her career, the fourth-highest total in the history of the program. She also ranks among the leaders in single-game and season leaders. During her senior season, she blocked 38 shots, again the fourth-highest single-season total in school history. And in a game against Pitt-Bradford this season, O'Brien blocked nine shots, establishing a new program record for blocks in a game. O'Brien was able to lead Juniata to a 13-12 record in her final season. The 13 wins surpasses the total of her previous two seasons, and is the first time in her career the Eagles have finished the season with a winning record.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.