Williams, Thorton earn MEAC postseason honors

By The Sports Pulse Staff

GREENBELT – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) revealed its 2019-20 Women’s Basketball postseason honors, where Howard University senior Ayonna Williams (Washington) and junior Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) were recognized for their outstanding seasons.

The Washington, D.C. native earned All-MEAC Second Team while Thornton made the league’s Third Team.

Before the season, Williams was selected to the MEAC Preseason Team in her final season for the Bison. 

This year, she ranked among the conference leaders in multiple categories, including scoring (15.2/3rd), assists (3.1 apg/5th), free throw percentage (85%/1st), steals (2.1 spg/4th) and three-point percentage (43%/1st). The all-round guard won MEAC Player of the Week twice while finishing Top 35 in the nation with an 85-percent (100-of-118) free throw percentage. On Jan. 27, she joined the 1,000-point club in the road win at Coppin State.

Thornton once again topped the league in three-pointers made (84) and three-pointers per game (2.9) while ranking top 35 nationally in both categories. 

Thorton finished ninth in scoring (12.8 ppg), producing six 20-point performances, including 25 points in the home victory over Delaware State (March 5).

Tuesday (March 10), Howard takes on South Carolina State in the MEAC Basketball Tournament First Round. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. inside the Norfolk Scope Arena.