MACOMB, IL – The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) announced the results of the postseason awards for the 2023-2024 season, with Western Illinois University (WIU) guard Raegan McCowan receiving the Freshman of the Year award for her excellent play this season.
In just her first year, McCowan led the OVC in scoring with 19.2 points/game, which ranks 32nd in the nation. It is also the third best scoring average amongst freshmen in the NCAA DI. The first year highlighted the season with a 45-point performance versus Southern Indiana (2/24). The point total is tied for the fifth best mark in DI this season, matching Iowa’s Caitlin Clark who scored 45 against Ohio State (1/21). The tally is the second highest by a freshman this year, behind USC’s JuJu Watkins’ 51, which is also the top mark this year. McCowan converted 17-of-18 free throws during her career best outing, which is tied for the sixth highest amount in 2023-24. McCowan was named OVC Freshman of the Week honors a record 13 times this season. The previous best was nine times, set by Erika Sisk (Murray State) during the 2012-13 season and matched by Sharnecce Currie-Jelks (UT Martin) last year. McCowan is the first Leatherneck to earn an OVC women’s basketball season award.
In addition to winning Freshman of the Year, McCowan was earned spots on the All-OVC First and All-OVC Newcomer teams.