March 1, 2005
FORT WORTH, Texas --
Sandora Irvin from the TCU women's basketball team was named to the Conference USA All-Decade Team Tuesday. In conjunction with C-USA celebrating its 10th anniversary during the 2004-05 season, the league has been naming a Team of the Decade for each of the conference's 19 sports throughout the year. Irvin was one of just 11 players selected to the team.
Conference USA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004, Irvin was selected to the C-USA Third, Second and First Team in 2002, 2003 and 2004. She also made the All-Freshman Team her rookie season. As a junior, she became TCU's first All-American, being named Honorable Mention by The Associated Press and Kodak/WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association).
Early in her junior season, Irvin became the all-time career leader in blocked shots in conference history. Janell Burse from Tulane tallied 248 during her time with the Green Wave and Irvin already had 213 after her sophomore season. Irvin is also the top rebounder of all-time in C-USA with 1,328 to her credit, which is 161 more than Marquette's Abbie Willenborg.
Irvin is enjoying one of the most memorable seasons in TCU history in 2004-05. Earlier in the year, Irvin broke the NCAA single-game record for blocked shots with 16 versus UAB Jan. 16. The old record of 15 was held by Amy Lundquist from Loyola Marymount. Irvin also had the first triple-double in school history against UAB by adding 20 points and 18 rebounds.
The next record Irvin broke was the NCAA's career record for blocked shots of 428, doing so versus Memphis Feb. 5. She needed just three going into the game and finished with eight. Her current total stands at 467 heading into the C-USA Tournament, which takes place over March 3-6 in Charlotte, N.C.
Another NCAA record may fall before Irvin's career is complete. With 137 blocks this season, she is 15 away from tying the national single-season mark of 152 by Amie Williams from Jackson State in 2002-03.
