Abbey picked for All-conference defensive team

TONY STINNETT
MT Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO - Middle Tennessee junior standout Abbey Sissom was named to the Conference USA All-Defensive team as announced by the league office Sunday afternoon.

Sissom, the daughter of Gaylon and Suzette Sissom, was one of six players to make the all-defensive team after helping the Lady Raiders (20-9, 15-3) to a 20-win season and the No. 2 seed in the upcoming metroPCS Conference USA Championships in Birmingham.

The former Cannon County High School standout and Miss Basketball in Tennessee, was voted to the all-defensive team after turning in a strong season for the Lady Raiders. Regarded as the team's top perimeter defender, Sissom generally draws the assignment of defending the opposition's top offensive guard.
During one stretch late in the season, Sissom guarded Jennie Simms (ODU), Ciara Gregory (Charlotte) and Kendall Noble (WKU) in succession and held each below their scoring average.

"Abbey Sissom has worked hard on the defensive part of her game, and you see the results," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "Hard work usually pays off, and the work Abbey has put into becoming a better defensive player has allowed her to have positive results and help the team. On top of that, she has also had a solid season on the offensive end. Abbey excels on both ends of the court, and she has worked hard to elevate her game this season."

Sissom has proven to be a consistent offensive threat and one of the top long-range shooters in C-USA. She has produced 13 double-figure scoring games. Sissom leads C-USA and ranks 17th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (.429). That mark is currently tied for sixth best for a single-season.

Sissom also is third in C-USA for 3-point field made per game (2.4), third in assist-turnover ratio (2.0), fourth in minutes played (36.2) and 11th in assists (4.0).

Conference USA All-Defensive Team
Nyilah Jamison-Myers, Charlotte | R-Jr., Orangeburg, South Carolina
Lefty Webster, Charlotte | Sr., Norfolk, Virginia
Abbey Sissom, Middle Tennessee | Jr., Woodbury, Tennessee
Destinee Young, Old Dominion | R-Jr., Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Brittanny Dinkins, Southern Miss | Sr., Miami, Florida
**Kendall Noble, WKU | R-Sr., Hazard, Kentucky