Poindexter and Crawford Win Top Honors in American Athletic Conference

IRVING, Texas –– The University of Tulsa women's basketball junior tandem of Temira Poindexter and Delanie Crawford garnered two of the American Athletic Conference's top awards as voted on by the league's coaches, The American announced today.

Poindexter was named The American's Player of the Year, while Crawford was selected as the league's Most Improved Player.

The Oklahoma tandem also received all-conference honors. Poindexter, from nearby Sapulpa, Okla., earned first-team accolades for the second consecutive season, this time unanimously. Crawford, from Piedmont, Okla., was named second-team all-conference.

"These are great honors for Temira and Delanie. They are both very special players who put the work in every day and I'm so happy for them to receive this recognition," said Tulsa Head Coach Angie Nelp. "We view these as team awards. Our teamwork and togetherness puts us in a position to enjoy these kinds of honors for the team."

Poindexter and Crawford rank second and third in the AAC for scoring with 20.8 and 19.3 points, respectively. The duo combined for four AAC player of the week awards (Poindexter three, Crawford one) and earned weekly honor roll merits 10 times (Crawford six, Poindexter four).

Poindexter is Tulsa's first AAC Player of the Year in the school's 10-year league membership and the second player in school history to ever receive conference player of the year honors. Jillian Robbins was named the 2006 Conference USA Player of the Year.

In Tulsa's affiliation with The American, only Poindexter has earned first-team all-conference honors. Crawford is only the third Tulsa player in school history to receive second-team all-AAC merits.

The 6'1" Poindexter is just the third player in school history to reach the 600-point plateau in a single season. She has connected on 45-percent from the field, 32-percent from three-point range and 72-percent from the free throw line, while averaging 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocked shots.

Poindexter has scored in double-digits in all 31 games, 20 points in 19 games and five games with 30+ points.

Crawford ranks among The American's top-6 for three-point percentage (.402) and free throw percentage (.829) and sixth for overall field goal percentage (.453). She also ranks second on the team for rebounds (176) for a 5.7 average and leads Tulsa in assists with 80 for a 2.6 average.

The 5'11" guard increased her scoring average from 11.1 to 19.3 points, an improvement of 8.2 points from a year ago. Crawford has scored in double-figures in 29 of 31 games this season, including 14 with 20+ points and three 30+ scoring games.

Crawford is just two points shy of joining Poindexter as the only tandem of players to surpass 600 points in the same season.

The duo will lead Tulsa into the American Athletic Conference Championship next week as the league's No. 1 seed.

2023-24 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Temira Poindexter, F, Tulsa

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Danae McNeal, G, East Carolina

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Vittoria Blasigh, G, South Florida

COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Burton, North Texas

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Delanie Crawford, G, Tulsa

SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dyani Robinson, G, North Texas

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
DesiRay Kernal, F, North Texas
Romi Levy, F, South Florida

AMBASSADOR AWARD
Chantae Embry, F, SMU

ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Dazia Lawrence, G, Charlotte
Danae McNeal, G, East Carolina*
DesiRay Kernal, F, North Texas
Tommisha Lampkin, F, North Texas
Temira Poindexter, F, Tulsa*

ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Madison Griggs, G, Memphis
Romi Levy, F, South Florida
Tiara Young, G, SMU
Tiarra East, G, Temple
Delanie Crawford, G, Tulsa

ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
Denim DeShields, G, UAB
Mia Moore, G, UAB
Malia Fisher, F, Rice
Aleah Nelson, G, Temple
Daniela Abies, F, Wichita State

ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Mia Moore, G, UAB
Tatyana Wyche, F, East Carolina
Alasia Smith, F, Memphis
DesiRay Kernal, F, North Texas*
Romi Levy, F, South Florida

* denotes unanimous selection

Poindexter and Crawford Win Top Honors in American Athletic Conference

Players Mentioned

Delanie Crawford

Temira Poindexter

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