Carpenter Named to State Farm All-American Team

BILLINGS, Mont.–  Alira Carpenter has been recognized as one of the top 41 players in the country in NCAA Division II for the 2008-09 season.  She earned honorable mention on the State Farm Coaches All-American team.  There were 10 players named to the team and 31 earned honorable mention.  Carpenter is the eighth MSUB women’s basketball player to earn All-American honors and the first since Michelle Lieber in 2006-07.

Carpenter finished the season averaging 22.3 points and 3.6 rebounds a game while shooting 43.8% from the floor, 43.1% from 3-point range and 88.3% from the line.  She has been named to the all-GNAC first team, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Region 7 first team and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American third team.  Against Alaska Anchorage on Mar. 7, Carpenter became the fourth female collegiate player in the state of Montana to score 2000 in a career.  She is currently ranked among the top 25 in NCAA Division II in four categories; scoring (8th), three-pointers made per game (13th – 2.90), free throw percentage (17th) and three-point percentage (21st).

“This is a great honor,” said head coach Kevin Woodin.  “Alira has been an extremely hard worker throughout her career here at MSUB.  This is the ultimate compliment that can be paid to a player.  I’m very proud and happy for her and the university.”

Carpenter leaves Montana State Billings with her name all over the record book.  She is the all-time leader in points (2000), field goals made (700), field goals attempted (1628), three-pointers made (294), three-pointers attempted (712) and free throw percentage (86.2%).  In addition Carpenter ranks among the top 10 in three-point percentage (2nd – 41.3%), free throws made (4th – 306), games played (5th – 113) and free throws attempted (9th – 355).

“It’s hard for me to comprehend that I’m an All-American,” said Carpenter.  “I understand what it means but I’m just a person who loves playing basketball.  I have a tough time understanding all this fuss over doing something I love to do.  However, this is a great honor and I’m truly appreciative and honored by it.  It’s nice to see all of the time and effort that I put forth this season be appreciated.  There is no question though that this honor also belongs to my teammates and coaches.  Without all of them, none of this would have been possible.”

2008-09 State Farms Coaches All-American Team

Honorable Mention