March 6, 2008

2007-08 Division I All-Independent Teams

EDINBURG, TX - Freshman guard Jessica Gerald was selected Division I Independent women's basketball Newcomer of the Year, announced today at the BBQ Banquet on the campus of Texas-Pan American.

Gerald, the six-time NCAA Division I Independent Newcomer of the Week recorded 65 out of a possible 70 points for all-Newcomer team selection.

Standing at 5-foot-8 from Woolwich Township, New Jersey - Gerald ranks 12th among independent individual leaders in points per game. She is the only Highlander to average double-figures with 12.3ppg while reaching double-figures in 18 out of 26 contests.

Gerald exploded for a school-record 37 points on January 11 against California State University, Bakersfield where she scored the highest single-game total in 21-season history of NJIT women's basketball and eclipsed the NJIT Division I mark of 22 points, set by teammate Jill Dickinson last year.

Forward Taiwo Oyelola earned Honorable Mention recognition ranking 27th among independent individual leaders in points per game with 8.5 while leading the Highlanders with 148 rebounds 5.9rpg.

She has recorded five double-doubles this season and set a career-best 20 points at Texas-Pan American on January 8. Oyelola was named Player of the Week once this season for her 20 point outburst in 28 minutes of action against Texas-Pan American.

NJIT (8-18) will finish out the 2007-08 season at the Division I Independent Championship beginning today in Edinburg, Texas. The Highlanders will open up against Florida Gulf Coast University (18-8) at 5:30pm(CT).

Chicago State (14-12) will match up with California State University, Bakersfield (11-15) in the opening round at 3:30pm (CT) while host Texas-Pan American (10-16) closes out the first day against Utah Valley (16-9) at 8:05pm (CT).

Robin Fairbanks from Utah Valley was named Player of the Year; Savannah State's Ivy Smith was Defensive Player of the Year and Utah Valley's Cathy Dixon earned Coach of the Year honors.

The end of the year independent awards are nominated and voted on by sports information directors and head coaches at nine NCAA Division I Independent schools.