Black, Ruys Named All-Conference GNAC Selections

The Suffolk University Women's Basketball team had two players earn All-Conference recognition for their efforts during the 2010-11 season as junior Meghan Black (Roslindale, Mass./Archbishop Wiliams) and freshman Jennifer Ruys (Wallingford, Conn./Lyman Hall HS) were third-team selections.

In 28 games this season, Black has averaged 10.3 points per game, while collecting 4.9 rebounds per game. Her 78.2 shooting percentage from the free-throw line was ranked seventh among GNAC shooters this season, while ranking 11th with 1.2 blocked shots per game. Black recorded double digits in scoring in 16 of the Rams' 28 games this season, recording a double-double on two occasions. Black was also named a GNAC All-Tournament selection as she helped lead the Rams to the conference finals before they fell in Saturday's championship game to Emmanuel College, 83-67. During their three game playoff run, Black averaged 12.7 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game. Black recorded a double-double in Tuesday's quarterfinals matchup, a 68-55 win over Mount Ida College, with 15 points and had 10 rebounds. Black led all scorers with 15 points in Thursday's 66-62 victory over St. Joseph's College (ME). As a sophomore, Black was also a third-team All-Conference selection averaging 10.2 points per game along with six rebounds per game in 2009-10. This season, Black also served as a team captain for the Rams.

Head Coach Ed Leyden spoke highly of Black's efforts during the season. "Meghan has been one of our hardest workers and a leader both on and off the court. Her knowledge for the game continues to expand, along with her work ethic. Her performance and accomplishments this season has been a direct result of the effort she puts into improving her game off the court."

Ruys was one the top scorers in the GNAC this season, as her 51.6 field goal percentage was tops in the league, while her 86.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line is ranked ninth among all NCAA Division-III players. Ruys led the Rams with 13.7 points per game this season (9th in the GNAC) and was second on the team with 5.9 rebounds per game. Her 35 blocked shots were tied for a team-high that stood for 11th best in the league, while her 2.9 offensive rebounds per game was eighth. Ruys recorded her lone double-double of the season scoring a season-high 23 points, along with 11 rebounds in Suffolk's 72-68 win over Norwich University. Ruys was also an All-Tournament selection helping get the Rams to the league finals. In the three playoff games, Ruys averaged 15.7 points per game and 6.7 boards per game. She was Suffolk's leading scorer in two of the three games, including a 19-point effort in the Rams' 68-55 victory over Mount Ida College in Tuesday's quarterfinals.

"Jennifer impressed as a freshman with her shooting abilities, and her continued desire to learn and improve as the season progressed. She established herself as one of our top players early on and demonstrated that throughout the season by continuing to want to learn and improve day in and day out," said Head Coach Ed Leyden.

Junior Mary Garon (Auburn, N.H./Trinity HS) also earned recognition from the GNAC being named to the league's All-Sportsmanship team. Garon was the Rams' leading rebounder on the season averaging 6.1 rebounds per game scoring 6.6 points per game. Garon started 25 of the Rams' 28 games this season. Head Coach Ed Leyden praised Garon for what she brought to the team. "Mary was one of our unsung heroes this season. Her play was one of the key contributors to the success of our team, and she provided our team with leadership and intensity in games and in practice each and every time on the court."

The Rams finished with the second best record in GNAC play this season, with a 10-2 record. The Rams hold an 18-10 overall record on the season as they earned their fourth consecutive berth into the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Tournament opening up this Wednesday.