Bowling Green, Ky. — The Western Kentucky University Lady Topper basketball team officially brought the 2011-12 season to a close Sunday night with a Senior Banquet held at Mariah’s Restaurant.

Senior center Jasmine Johnson received the 2011-12 Coach’s Award for her contribution to the program both on and off the court.  After coming off the bench during her first three seasons on the Hill, the DeSoto, Texas, native started 27 games during her senior campaign, averaging 21.4 minutes per game.  She dropped in 138 points and pulled down 162 rebounds during hte season, shooting 55 percent from the field.  She also led the club with 40 blocked shots, finishing her career with 81 rejections — among the top 10 career totals in WKU history.  Johnson also earned a reputation off the court for her ability to mentor the younger member of the team, especially this past season with seven freshmen on the roster.

Fellow senior and DeSoto native Vanessa Obafemi took home the free throw accuracy award for the second straight year after shooting 76.7 percent from the charity stripe.  She was perfect from the line in six games this past season, including a 4-for-4 effort early in teh season against Wright State.  She also connected on 7 of 8 at the line en route to a career-high 22 points in a home win over Florida International in December.

Freshman Alexis Govan earned the team’s defensive award.  The San Antonio, Texas, product collected 42 steals on the year, and also blocked three shots from the guard position.  Govan picked up multiple steals in 16 games this season, including a career-high five in WKU’s win over Louisiana-Monroe in the first round of the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament.  In addition to her work on the defensive end, Govan will be the Lady Toppers’ top returning scorer for the 2012-13 season.

For the second straight year, sophomore guard Chaney Means earned WKU’s Academic Scholar award for having the highest grade point average on the team.

2011-12 Lady Topper Award Winners:
Coach’s Award: Jasmine Johnson
Free Throw Accuracy Award: Vanessa Obafemi
Defensive Award: Alexis Govan
Academic Scholar Award: Chaney Means