MSSU women's basketball signs All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Women's Basketball head coach Ronda Hubbard announced the signing of NJCAA D-II All-American Deborah Holcomb.

Holcomb comes to the Lions from St. Louis Community College where she earned first team All-American honors her sophomore season. She was a first-team All-Conference and All-Region pick as a freshman, as well as a sophomore.

A native of Denton, Texas, Holcomb finished second in the nation at the NJCAA D-II level with 25.2 points per game. Holcomb also was the first SLCC player to score 1,000 points as she finished with 1,088 for the Archers. During her two years with SLCC, Holcomb helped lead the Archers to a 40-15 record and two NJCAA Region XVI championship games.

"Deborah is going to have an immediate impact on our team because she is such a prolific scorer. She can shoot the 3, has a great mid-range game, and can finish well to the basket. On top of that she shoots a high percentage at the free throw line. All the facets that made her one of the top scorers in the country and a first team All-American," said Coach Hubbard.

During her sophomore campaign Holcomb shot 45.5 percent (278-611) from the field and finished 16th in the nation in steals with 96. She also averaged 8.2 rebounds per contest, while shooting 71.8 percent (112-156) from the free throw line.

Holcomb prepped at Billy Ryan High School where she was a 2011 graduate and played for coach Moesha Allen. Her sophomore season, Holcomb was an honorable mention All-Conference selection, while also being named Newcomer of the Year. She was a first-team All-District pick as a senior.

"Aside from the obvious talent she has, Deb is really driven and a real competitor," Hubbard said. "It was clear early on in the recruiting of her that she is a very special breed that hates to lose and will do anything she needs to, to help her team succeed. Deb is a complete player. Great defender and rebounder as well. I am confident that with her great work ethic, she will quickly become one of the better guards in the MIAA."