BOSTON -
Jade Tillman was named America East Newcomer of the Year and to the all-conference first team to lead a group of four Retrievers honored by the league on Wednesday.
Tiara Bellamy was named to the All-Defensive Team, while
Kennedy Austin and
Heidi Williams earned All-Rookie honors.
Tillman, a junior transfer from East Carolina, was named the league's Newcomer of the Year, making her the third Retriever to win the award in the America East. She joins Kiara Bell and Anna Blount as UMBC recipients.
The Rockville, Md. native becomes the sixth different player in UMBC history to be named to the America East First Team, joining Carlee Cassidy, Erin Brown, Michelle Kurowski, Taylor McCarley, and Te'yJah Oliver.
In 28 regular-season games, Tillman averaged 15.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.5 assists per game. She has scored 10 or more points in 21 straight games, and upped her scoring average to 16.6 points per game in America East play. Against Bryant on February 26, Tillman became the 15th player in program history to score 400 or more points in a season, currently ranking 20th all-time with 423 points. Tillman was also named to the All-Academic Team.
Bellamy, a redshirt junior from Plainfield, N.J., is the sixth UMBC player to earn All-Defensive Team honors, joining Bell, McCarley, Raven Harris, Tope´ Obajolu, and Sharri Rohde. Bellamy has appeared in all 28 games, making 21 starts. In 23.4 minutes per game, Bellamy has compiled 31 steals, pulled in 66 rebounds, and has consistently taken on top matchups.
Williams and Austin pick up the All-Rookie honors after combining for eight Rookie of the Week honors this season. Williams earned the honor six times, while Austin picked up two. The pair are the first Retrievers named to the All-Rookie team since the 2020-21 season.
Williams, a Prince George's County native, started 16 games, averaging 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Williams ranks near the top of the America East with 52 steals and has recorded three double-doubles this season.
Austin, hailing from Waldorf, Md., made 12 starts this season, averaging 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Austin also added 36 steals this season. Austin scored in double figures eight times this season, setting a career-high with 24 points and seven rebounds at FIU in November.
