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Lucy Olsen headlines Big 5 women’s basketball award winners

Lucy Olsen took home several honors, but St. Joseph’s racked up the most with six across individual and team awards.

Former Villanova guard Lucy Olsen was named the women's player of the year by the Big 5 on Tuesday. Olsen transferred to Iowa earlier this month.
Former Villanova guard Lucy Olsen was named the women's player of the year by the Big 5 on Tuesday. Olsen transferred to Iowa earlier this month.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Former Villanova guard Lucy Olsen was named the Big 5 player women’s basketball player of the year on Tuesday following her standout junior season.

After leading the Wildcats to the championship game of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament and finishing third in the nation in scoring (23.3 points per game), Olsen transferred to Iowa in mid-April.

Olsen also took Big 5 awards for leading scorer and most improved player.

» READ MORE: Villanova’s Eric Dixon is Big 5 player of the year; Drexel’s Zach Spiker is top coach

St. Joseph’s racked up the most awards with six. It was headlined by head coach Cindy Griffin taking home coach of the year honors after leading the Hawks to a 28-6 record and the Big 5 title.

Additionally, Penn freshman guard Mataya Gayle won rookie of the year. Gayle finished third on the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game.

Big 5 women’s awards

Player of the year: Lucy Olsen, Villanova

Rookie of the year: Mataya Gayle, Penn

Coach of the year: Cindy Griffin, St. Joseph’s

Most improved player: Lucy Olsen, Villanova

Scholar-athlete of the year: Lizzy Groetsch, Penn

Leading scorer: Lucy Olsen, Villanova

Top free throw shooter: Talya Brugler, St. Joseph’s

All-Big 5 first team:

  1. Lucy Olsen, Villanova

  2. Talya Brugler, St. Joseph’s

  3. Laura Ziegler, St. Joseph’s

  4. Jordan Obi, Penn

  5. Stina Almquist, Penn

  6. Tiarra East, Temple

All-Big 5 second team:

  1. Mackenzie Smith, St. Joseph’s

  2. Mataya Gayle, Penn

  3. Aleah Nelson, Temple

  4. Christina Dalce, Villanova

  5. Bella Runyan, Villanova

All-Big 5 honorable mention:

  1. Nicole Melious, La Salle

  2. Chloe Welch, St. Joseph’s