The Santa Fe, N.M., native was also named the Big Sky’s Top Newcomer of the season, an award shared with Northern Arizona’s Nicky Eason. Sheehy is the first player in program history to earn the newcomer award and is also the first player since the 2000-01 season to earn all-Big Sky honors. She also becomes the fourth player in program history to receive all-conference honors.

Sheehy has made 53 three-pointers this season, ranking her fourth in the Big Sky. The mark also places her second in program history for three-pointers made in a season. In conference play, Sheehy ranks second from behind the arc, with 33 three-pointers (2.36 per game).

In conference games, she also averages 10.1 points per game, improving her average from 7.1 ppg before conference play began.

Sheehy has knocked down five three-pointers in a game on two occasions this season and has scored in double figures 12 times this year, while leading the team in scoring in five games. The 5-foot-9 guard is one of only two players to start in every game for Sacramento State this season and she is second on the team in scoring, with 238 points. She also leads the team in minutes, averaging 31.2 per game. After averaging 16.0 points per game in Sacramento State’s two conference road wins on Feb. 3 and Feb. 5, including scoring a career-high 21 at Eastern Washington, Sheehy earned co-Big Sky Player of the Week honors.

Her 15 points and career-high seven rebounds helped Sacramento State secure a 57-41 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday, March 5, clinching a tournament spot for the Hornets. It is the first time since the 1996-97 season, Sacramento State’s first year in the conference, that the team has made the tournament.

Montana’s Hollie Tyler and Weber State’s Julie Gjertsen were named the Big Sky’s most valuable players, guiding their respective teams to first and second place finishes after regular season Big Sky play.

Montana, the regular season champions, were represented with Tyler and guard Katie Edwards receiving all-conference honors along with Jody McLeod receiving honorable mention honors. The Grizzlies’ Lynsey Monaco was also named Defensive Player of the Year.

Second-place Weber State had two players named to the all-conference team as did Eastern Washington. Montana State, Northern Arizona and Idaho State each had one player named to the all-conference team. Idaho State’s Natalie Doma was also named Outstanding Freshman.

The 2005 Big Sky Women’s Basketball Championships are being held in Missoula, Mont., from March 10-12. In the quarterfinals, on Thursday, No. 6 Sacramento State opens the tournament playing No. 3 Northern Arizona. The second game will be No. 4 Eastern Washington and No. 5 Idaho State. On Friday, Montana will play the lowest remaining seed and Weber State will play the highest remaining seed. The championship game will be Saturday at 3 pm. PST.

Sacramento State’s game on Thursday can be heard locally on KTKZ 1380 at 7 p.m.. For listeners outside the Sacramento-area, the game will also be available on www.hornetsports.com.