Temple University Athletics
Tiarra East and Aleah Nelson Earn Big 5 Awards
4.30.24 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA — Two of the 2023-24 Temple Women's Basketball athletes were honored by the Big 5 on Tuesday in the organization's annual awards announcement. Tiarra East earned a spot on the first team list and Aleah Nelson was selected to the second team.
East, a junior guard who also earned All-AAC second team, came into top form this season for an Owls team that had historic success. She led Temple with 13.1 points per game and was second on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game. Her scoring prowess mixed with rebounding abilities was crucial for the Cherry & White, which was highlighted by two double-doubles this season — East had a stellar performance against East Carolina, totaling 28 points and 13 boards (both career highs). The Louisville native scored in double figures in 20 of her 28 games played last season and eclipsed 20 or more points in five contests. Perhaps no play better exemplified East's season quite like her game winning three-point shot against Wichita State that landed in SportsCenter's Top 10 plays the following morning.
Nelson, a senior guard and team captain, has been a staple for the Temple Owls during the Diane Richardson era. An All-AAC third team member, Nelson averaged 12.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game last season. She scored in double figures 21 times this year and was the only Owl to record a points-assists double-double this year. This season, Nelson became the third player in Temple history to record 500 career assists and the 10th player to eclipse 1,500 points.
East and Nelson played pivotal roles in a historically successful season in which the Temple Women's Basketball team finished with a three-way tie for first place in the American Athletic Conference regular season championship. Following an 11-win season a year ago, the Owls tied a program for best turnaround, improving to 20 wins. The Cherry & White passed the 17-victory mark for the first time since 2016-17.
2023-24 Women's Basketball Big 5 Award Winnings
Player of the Year — Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Coach of the Year — Cindy Griffin, Saint Joseph's
Rookie of the Year — Mataya Gayle, Penn
Most Improved Player — Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Scholar-Athlete — Lizzy Groetsch, Penn
Leading Scorer — Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Top Free Throw Shooter — Talya Brugler, Saint Joseph's
First Team
Lucy Olson, Villanova
Talya Brugler, Saint Joseph's
Jordan Obi, Penn
Stina Almquist, Penn
Tiarra East, Temple
Second Team
Mackenzie Smith, Saint Joseph's
Mataya Gayle, Penn
Aleah Nelson, Temple
Christina Dalce, Villanova
Bella Runyan, Villanova
Honorable Mention
Chloe Welch, Saint Joseph's
Nicole Melious, La Salle
East, a junior guard who also earned All-AAC second team, came into top form this season for an Owls team that had historic success. She led Temple with 13.1 points per game and was second on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game. Her scoring prowess mixed with rebounding abilities was crucial for the Cherry & White, which was highlighted by two double-doubles this season — East had a stellar performance against East Carolina, totaling 28 points and 13 boards (both career highs). The Louisville native scored in double figures in 20 of her 28 games played last season and eclipsed 20 or more points in five contests. Perhaps no play better exemplified East's season quite like her game winning three-point shot against Wichita State that landed in SportsCenter's Top 10 plays the following morning.
Nelson, a senior guard and team captain, has been a staple for the Temple Owls during the Diane Richardson era. An All-AAC third team member, Nelson averaged 12.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game last season. She scored in double figures 21 times this year and was the only Owl to record a points-assists double-double this year. This season, Nelson became the third player in Temple history to record 500 career assists and the 10th player to eclipse 1,500 points.
East and Nelson played pivotal roles in a historically successful season in which the Temple Women's Basketball team finished with a three-way tie for first place in the American Athletic Conference regular season championship. Following an 11-win season a year ago, the Owls tied a program for best turnaround, improving to 20 wins. The Cherry & White passed the 17-victory mark for the first time since 2016-17.
2023-24 Women's Basketball Big 5 Award Winnings
Player of the Year — Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Coach of the Year — Cindy Griffin, Saint Joseph's
Rookie of the Year — Mataya Gayle, Penn
Most Improved Player — Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Scholar-Athlete — Lizzy Groetsch, Penn
Leading Scorer — Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Top Free Throw Shooter — Talya Brugler, Saint Joseph's
First Team
Lucy Olson, Villanova
Talya Brugler, Saint Joseph's
Jordan Obi, Penn
Stina Almquist, Penn
Tiarra East, Temple
Second Team
Mackenzie Smith, Saint Joseph's
Mataya Gayle, Penn
Aleah Nelson, Temple
Christina Dalce, Villanova
Bella Runyan, Villanova
Honorable Mention
Chloe Welch, Saint Joseph's
Nicole Melious, La Salle
Players Mentioned
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