SEARCY – Former Harding women's basketball player Arielle Saunders was named Conference Commissioners Association Central Region Scholar-Athlete of the Year on Thursday. It is the first time a Harding athlete has won the award.
Saunders, from Valley Springs, Arkansas, had a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average in psychology and graduated from Harding this spring.
Saunders started all 30 games she appeared in, averaging 16.5 points and 10.9 rebounds. She was named first team Academic All-American, Great American Conference Player of the Year and GAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Saunders was also Harding's Outstanding Psychology Student.
The commissioners from each Division II basketball region selected the regional winners. To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have attained a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and possess outstanding athletic credentials.
