EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville women's basketball players Khristian Hart and Mallory Ladd were both named Scholar Athletes by the Missouri Valley Conference on Tuesday morning.
 
Missouri Valley Conference Release

Ladd, a senior forward from Evansville, Ind., was named a Second Team Scholar Athlete as Hart, a senior guard and native of Evansville, was selected as an Honorable Mention.
 
"We are extremely excited for Mallory and Khristian that they are being recognized for their hard work in the classroom and on the court," said head coach Oties Epps. "The balance between being a good student and a good athlete is a delicate one and they found a way to excel in both areas."
 
Ladd, a criminal justice major with a 3.371 cumulative GPA, has appeared in 22 games, all starts, for the Purple Aces this season. She ranks second on the team in points (14.2), rebounds (7.3) and assists (64) while also leading all teammates with 0.9 blocks per game. Ladd is second in the MVC in free throw percentage (.861), fourth in three-point shooting percentage (.390), fifth in rebounding, sixth in assists and seventh in scoring. She also has 16 double figure scoring games this season, four double digit rebound performances and four double-doubles.
 
Hart, a communications major with a 3.394 cumulative GPA, has appeared in all 29 games for UE, making 11 starts. She led the Aces with 49 steals this season and is third on the team with 10.0 points per game. Hart's .349 three-point shooting percentage and 1.7 steals per game are 7^th most in the MVC this year. In conference play, her 1.8 steals per game are 6^th best and .362 free-throw percentage ranks eighth. She has scored in double figures in 11 games this season for UE.
 
UE (11-18, 6-12) enters the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament as the #7 seed and will play the #10 Illinois State Redbirds (2-27, 2-16) in opening round set for Thursday, March 12. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

First Team
Brooke Brown, UNI
Caitlin Ingle, Drake
Kelsey Jacobs, Wichita State
Madison Weekly, UNI
Kenzie Williams, Missouri State
Michelle Young, Bradley
 
Second Team
Alie Decker, Wichita State
Liza Heap, Drake
Mallory Ladd, Evansville
Rishonda Napier, Southern Illinois
Katy Winge, Illinois State
 
Honorable Mention
Stephanie Davison, UNI
Khristian Hart, Evansville
Alyssa Johnson, UNI
Whitney Tinjum, Bradley