FRISCO, Texas – University of the Incarnate Word senior forward Celia Garcia Paunero and freshman guard Imani Robinson each earned All-Southland Conference honors, the league office announced Tuesday.
 
Garcia Paunero was named Second Team All-Southland and secured one of five spots on the SLC All-Defensive Team, while Robinson garnered Southland Conference Freshman of the Year recognition.
 
The pair of standouts led UIW to its first victories in program history over Houston Baptist, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Sam Houston. They also helped the Cardinals to their first season-sweep of Nicholls. Garcia Paunero and Robinson guided UIW to seven league victories, equaling the number of Southland Conference wins the program had over its first three years of transition to NCAA Division I combined.
 
"It is an honor for us to have two of our own selected by the Southland conference as Second Team, All-Defensive Team and Freshman of the Year," Head Coach Christy Smith said. "Both of these young ladies understand that their individual awards are only possible with the unconditional support of their teammates."
 
Garcia Paunero was a workhorse for the Cardinals all season long, turning in 18 double-doubles (sixth nationally), including 11 double-doubles in conference play. She was the only player in the league to grab 20 rebounds in a game, had three 20-20 performances and was named Southland Conference Player of the Week twice. Garcia Paunero led the SLC with 11.6 boards per game (fifth nationally). She finished the season in the top-15 in the Southland in defensive rebounding (first), minutes played (third), free throw percentage (third), scoring (fifth), offensive rebounding (seventh), three-point field goals made (eighth) and blocked shots (ninth).
 
Garcia Paunero was the first UIW player in 26 years to average a double-double for a season. She was the first Cardinal in program history named to an All-Southland Conference Team and the first since 2012-13 to land a spot on an All-Defensive Team.
In conference play, Garcia Paunero averaged 17.2 points, 12.3 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per contest.
 
"Celia is a tremendous leader both on and off the court and has an unrivaled love for the game," Smith said. "It is awesome to see her hard work come to fruition in her senior season."
 
Robinson was invaluable for UIW this season, averaging 14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.4 assists and 0.9 blocks per game in Southland Conference play. She was the leading scorer and leading rebounder among freshmen. Robinson also shot the highest percentage from the floor (49.7 percent) and from three-point range (48.5 percent) among freshmen. Her five 20-point performances were the most among freshmen.
 
Robinson is just the fifth player in program history to be named Freshman of the Year, and the first Cardinal to capture the award since Nia Torru. UIW's all-time leading scorer, Torru earned Freshman of the Year honors in the 2006-07 season, when the Cardinals were members of the Heartland Conference.
 
"Imani is an extremely talented young lady, and has the potential to excel over the next few years as she continues to grow," Smith said. "She is understanding what it takes to be different by putting in the extra work and setting herself apart. We are excited to see what her future holds."

2016-17 All-Southland Conference Teams

Coach of the Year: Sandra Rushing, Central Arkansas
Player of the Year: Taylor Ross, Stephen F. Austin
Defensive Player of the Year: Chastadie Barrs, Lamar
Freshman of the Year: Imani Robinson, UIW
Newcomer of the Year: Moe Kinard, Lamar

First Team

Name	School	Position	Class	Hometown
Taylor Ross^3	Stephen F. Austin	G	Sr.	Pflugerville, Texas
Maggie Proffitt3	Central Arkansas	G	Sr.	Columbus, Miss.
Randi Brown2	New Orleans	G	Jr.	Houma, La.
Beatrice Attura	Northwestern State	G	Sr.	McKinney, Texas
Suzzy Dimba3	Abilene Christian	F	Sr.	Lubbock, Texas

 
Second Team

Name	School	Position	Class	Hometown
Celia Garcia Paunero	UIW	F	Sr.	Valladolid, Spain
Kiandra Bowers	Lamar	P	Sr.	West Palm Beach, Fla.
Alexis Mason2	Abilene Christian	G	Sr.	McKinney, Texas
Moe Kinard	Lamar	G	Sr.	New Iberia, La.
Chastadie Barrs	Lamar	G	Sr.	Desoto, Texas

 
Third Team

Name	School	Position	Class	Hometown
Taylin Underwood	Southeastern Louisiana	G	Jr.	Livingston, La.
Stevi Parker	Stephen F. Austin	F	Jr.	Bixby, Okla.
Cassidy Barrios	Nicholls	G	So.	Lockport, La.
Lizzy Dimba	Abilene Christian	F	Sr.	Lubbock, Texas
Kierra Jordan	Central Arkansas	C	Jr.	Jackson, Miss.

 
^{^} Player of the Year
² Two-time All-Conference team selection
³ Three-time All-Conference team selection
 
All-Defensive

Name	School	Position	Class	Hometown
Chastadie Barrs&2	Lamar	G	So.	Desoto, Texas
Raquel Logan	Central Arkansas	C	Sr.	West Memphis, Ark.
Suzzy Dimba3	Abilene Christian	F	Sr.	Lubbock, Texas
Celia Garcia Paunero	UIW	F	Sr.	Valladolid, Spain
Brianna Mullins	Central Arkansas	G	Sr.	Rosston, Ark.

 
^& Defensive Player of the Year
² Two-time All-Defensive team selection
³ Three-time All-Defensive team selection
 
Honorable Mention: Brianna Mullins (Central Arkansas), Hope Pawlowski (Nicholls), Taylor Baudoin (Central Arkansas), Frederica Haywood (McNeese), Victoria Rachal (McNeese), Stevi Parker* (Stephen F. Austin)
 
*Third Team All-Conference selection, Honorable Mention for All-Defensive
 
STAY TUNED
 
Next season the Cardinals will be eligible for postseason play and the UIW women's basketball coaching staff is determined to have the program ready to compete for a Southland Conference Championship immediately.
 
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