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/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Bruce Kluckhohn
Bell a Semifinalist for Defensive Player of the Year
2/19/2019 12:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota senior guard Kenisha Bell has been named a semifinalist for the 2019 Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year Award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday.
One of 10 players named as a semifinalist, Bell joined two others from the Big Ten on the list including Iowa's Megan Gustafson and Purdue's Ae'Rianna Harris.
In addition, Bell was one of just three guards to be recognized along with Lamar's Chastadie Barrs and Kentucky's Taylor Murray. The other seven players were either forwards or centers.
Bell currently leads the Big Ten in steals (55) and is second in steals per game (2.1). She's recorded at least one steal in 21 of 26 games this year, has had multiple steals in 16 contests and has recorded at least three steals in 10 games this year. In Gophers' history, Bell ranks eighth with 207 career steals.
Her best performance in that category this year came against Air Force on Dec. 2 when she had a season-high six thefts. Bell also recently had five steals against Northwestern on Feb. 10.
Overall on the season, Bell is averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
She has been part of a Minnesota defense that is allowing just 58.8 points per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten and is the second lowest mark for the team in the last 42 years.
One of 10 players named as a semifinalist, Bell joined two others from the Big Ten on the list including Iowa's Megan Gustafson and Purdue's Ae'Rianna Harris.
In addition, Bell was one of just three guards to be recognized along with Lamar's Chastadie Barrs and Kentucky's Taylor Murray. The other seven players were either forwards or centers.
Bell currently leads the Big Ten in steals (55) and is second in steals per game (2.1). She's recorded at least one steal in 21 of 26 games this year, has had multiple steals in 16 contests and has recorded at least three steals in 10 games this year. In Gophers' history, Bell ranks eighth with 207 career steals.
Her best performance in that category this year came against Air Force on Dec. 2 when she had a season-high six thefts. Bell also recently had five steals against Northwestern on Feb. 10.
Overall on the season, Bell is averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
She has been part of a Minnesota defense that is allowing just 58.8 points per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten and is the second lowest mark for the team in the last 42 years.
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