Honorable Mention All-American
Mar 31 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Senior forward Betnijah Laney (Clayton, Del.) was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Laney, a First Team All-Big Ten Conference selection by both the media and coaches, averaged 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Scarlet Knights as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Among Big Ten peers, Laney ranked eighth in the league in scoring and third in rebounding, while nationally she was ranked 10th in double-doubles.
The senior Scarlet Knight performed 20 double-doubles during the 2014-15 season, which included eight straight to open up the season. Among her double-double efforts was a 24-point, 24-rebound night against then-No. 6 North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Her 24 rebounds versus the Tar Heels are a Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) record - men or women - as she surpassed the previous record of 21 held by Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and former WNBA All-Star Sue Wicks set back in 1987 against Penn State. Laney was also two rebounds shy of tying the Rutgers women's basketball single-game record set by Sandy Tupurins with 26 boards against William Paterson on March 1, 1977.
In all, Laney totaled double figure scoring in all but two games in 2014-15 and hauled in double-digit rebounds on 21 occasions. She poured in 20 or more points in eight contests.
The Clayton, Delaware native finishes her career with 1,401 career points (14th all-time) and 912 rebounds (6th all-time). Laney joins Sue Wicks (1984-88), Regina Howard (1983-87) and Vicky Picott (1987-91) as the only Scarlet Knights to gather over 1,400 points and 900 rebounds in a career.
Additionally, Laney's 342 rebounds in 2014-15 rank her fourth on the single-season list and her 10.7 rebounds per game place her fifth on the single-season list and second among Rutgers seniors.
Laney is the seventh Scarlet Knight to earn All-America accolades from the Associated Press. She joins Shawnetta Stewart (HM -2000), Tasha Pointer (HM - 2000, 2001), Cappie Pondexter (First Team - 2006; Third Team - 2004; HM - 2003, 2005), Essence Carson (HM - 2007, 2008), Matee Ajavon (HM - 2007, 2008) and Epiphanny Prince (Third Team - 2008, 2009).
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-RU-
