Today the Big West Conference announced the 2011-2012 Women’s Basketball All-Conference teams, with Cal Poly’s Kristina Santiago earning Player of the Year, Cal State Northridge’s Janae Sharpe named Freshman of the Year and Cal State Northridge’s Jason Flowers distinguished as the Big West Coach of the Year.  The nine conference head coaches vote on the awards.

For her second career Big West Player of the Year recognition, Santa Maria native Santiago finished up her regular season contests with record-breaking numbers.  The senior sat out the 2010-2011 season due to a torn ACL in the first game, but has shown a comeback worthy of recognition.  Posting 1,844 career points thus far, Santiago holds the No. 1 spot in Mustang career scoring history, while ranked eighth all-time in Big West history.  The senior forward leads the league in points per game (23.1), rebounds (10.1), field goal percentage (.558) and has posted 16 double-doubles on the season, garnering national recognition as well in those categories.  Santiago has put up double figures in all her 26 games played except one, with her career-high 44 points, shooting 69.6 percent from the field against San Diego State in a one-point loss (79-78).  This is the third consecutive player of the year award for Cal Poly.

The two-time All-Conference First Team honoree, Santiago, has received her third acknowledgment being named to the 2011-2012 team.  Joining her is third consecutive selection winner, Cal State Fullerton’s Megan Richardson, followed by first time recipients, Cal State Northridge’s Jasmine Erving, UC Irvine’s Kassandra McCalister, Cal State Fullerton’s Lauren Chow, Pacific’s Kendall Rodriguez and UC Davis’ Samantha Meggison.
With half of the line-up in their first season at Cal State Northridge, it is only fitting that the Matadors claim the Big West Freshman of the Year award in Sharpe and her outstanding achievements for her class.  The 5-7 guard started in 25 of her 27 games played this season, averaging 11.4 points per game, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists.  From Rialto, Calif., Sharpe put up double figures in 17 of her contests for the Matadors, with a season-high 19 points against UC Santa Barbara, making 11-of-14 from the line and shooting 50 percent from the field (4-8).  She earned Northridge’s second freshman of the year recognition and was also named to the All-Conference Second Team.

In his second season with the Matadors, Flowers has made history as his team finished second in the Big West Conference regular season with a 17-12 overall record and 11-5 mark in league play.  This season marks one of the biggest turnarounds in the NCAA, as Flowers improved from four wins in 2010-11 to an impressive 17 wins this season, a 13 game boost. Northridge will be making its fifth post-season appearance since entering the Big West. CSUN’s No. 2 seed marks the highest ranking the program has been in going to the Big West Tournament, after being predicted to finish seventh in the preseason media poll.  Flowers has coached the Big West Freshman of the Year, one All-Conference First Team honoree, one Second-Team honoree and a pair of Honorable Mention nominees to go along with his post-season award in leading the Matadors near the top of the Big West.