By Kayci Woodley - Daily Staff Writer

Iowa State’s senior point guard Alison Lacey has been named one of eight finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award. The award honors the nation’s top point guards in Division I women’s basketball. Lieberman is a Hall of Famer and was a 3-time All-American at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Lieberman led the Monarchs to two back-to-back national championships and a WNIT championship in her career from 1976-1980.
“I think anyone who has followed the game over any length of time knows Nancy Lieberman’s name,” said coach Bill Fennelly. “So to be associated with her name in any way shape or form is truly something special.”
Lacey has displayed characteristics worthy of the Liberman award through her leadership on and off the court for Iowa State this season. Lacey is averaging 17.3 points per game this season and recently became the first play in Iowa State history to record 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in a career.
The Australian import’s assist-to-turnover ratio has been unfathomable throughout the season, as she has consistently led the nation in the category this year.
The Cyclones sit at 20-5 overall this season with Lacey at the helm and the senior leader has posted double figures in points in all but one game this season. Lacey also posted a triple-double against Iowa early in the season, becoming just the second player to do so in school history.
“She’s had a phenomenal year,” Fennelly said. I don’t think there’s a point guard that’s had a better year physically and at the same time has impacted a team that’s needed it so much as [Alison Lacey] has done for our team.”
Three finalists for the Lieberman award will be chosen from the list of eight, with a winner announced in April. Requirements for the award include leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills which were displayed by Lieberman throughout her basketball career. Among the eight finalists are two other Big 12 players — Danielle Robinson of Oklahoma and Andrea Riley of Oklahoma State. Nadirah McKenith (St. John’s), Samantha Prahalis (Ohio State), Sam Quigley (DePaul), Jasmine Thomas (Duke) and Courtney Vandersloot (Gonzaga) are the other finalists for the honor.
“Any time you’re on a list of national awards, or a possble national award is a great thing,” Fennelly said. She’s on a very elite list and certainly deserves to be there.”