April 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's juniors Mariame Djouara and Brittany Ford and senior guard Mary Kate McDade have been honored by the Philadelphia Big 5 for their outstanding play during the 2008-09 season at their annual awards banquet on Thursday.

Djouara and Ford were both selected to both All-Big 5 Second Team, while McDade earned All-Academic Team honors. The Hawks, who finished tied with Temple at 3-1, received the team trophy as Philadelphia Big 5 co-champions making it a record-setting 15th time the Hawks have earned the honor.

The Hawks' scoring leader (12.2 ppg) and most efficient shooter (48.4 percent), Ford was stellar in helping SJU to a 3-1 mark in the Big 5. Averaging 15.8 points per game in City Series games, the junior forward also led the Hawks with seven steals and four blocks in Big 5 play.

In just her first season on Hawk Hill, Djouara made an immediate impact, averaging 10.3 points per game and earning Big 5 Second Team accolades. Against Villanova, Djouara poured in a career-high 32 points in the Big 5's first triple-overtime game, a game the Hawks won. In City Series play, she averaged 15.0 points per game, while averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.

Saint Joseph's leader in assists with 160, McDade will graduate this May with a degree in business.