GREENVILLE, S.C. – A historic season for the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team paid dividends on Wednesday when Alcenia Purnell and Gabby Smith were both named to the Conference Carolinas All-Conference Team, while Zaria Clark picked up Freshman of the Year honors, league officials announced Wednesday. 
 
An everyday starter for the Braves, Purnell averaged 32.0 minutes per game and scored a total of 291 points. The redshirt sophomore scored 10 or more points on 14 different outings, while also canning 36.3 percent of her perimeter attempts which ranked fourth among the league's student-athletes. A native of Wake Forest, Purnell also ranked fifth among league scorers with 2.3 treys per game.
 
A native of Charlotte, Smith was a dominating force inside the paint, shooting 52.1 percent from the field. The redshirt sophomore averaged 13.0 points and 23.5 minutes per game, and pulled down 128 rebounds, recorded 14 steals and blocked 10 shots. The stellar shooting from the field helped Smith finish third in the conference for field goal percentage. Smith also scored 20 or more points in five games this season, including a career-high 29 points against King.
 
A three-time Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month and defensive player of the week pick, Clark made the most out her collegiate debut. A native of Stanley, she saw action in all 29 games and registered 264 points. A threat from the free throw line as well, Clark finished the season shooting 84.9 percent from the line, which ranked her second in the league. The freshman also was a leader on the glass, pulling down a team-high 130 rebounds. She recorded double-figure scoring 14 times and double-figure rebounds six times, while also cashing in on four double-doubles during her maiden campaign as well.