Three SIU women’s basketball players were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete team on Tuesday.

Redshirt junior guard Rishonda Napier and junior forward Kim Nebo were named to the first team and sophomore guard Kylie Giebelhausen was named to the honorable-mention squad.

This is Napier’s second time being honored as she was named to the second team last season. An economics major, Napier racked up a 3.51 GPA while starting all 30 games and leading the team in scoring. Her 15.1 points per game are eighth in the MVC while her 3.7 assists per game are fourth.

Nebo held a perfect 4.0 while majoring in biological sciences and pre-pharmacy. She has started 21 games for the Salukis and appeared in all 30. Nebo is averaging five points and 5.4 rebounds a game.

Giebelhausen boasts a 3.52 cumulative GPA as she majors in exercise science and pre-physical therapy. She has started all 30 games this season and is averaging 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, which leads conference guards.

For a player to be considered for the honor, she must be a starter or a key reserve who has played in 75 percent of the team’s games, and have above a 3.20 grade-point average. The trio currently have a combined 3.68 GPA.

All three will be in action against Loyola at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the MVC Tournament in Moline, Ill. 

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or 618-534-3303