Omier highlights Sun Belt honors

Arkansas State University freshman Norchad Omier was named Sun Belt Conference freshman of the year and received first-team all-conference honors Thursday.

He is the second Red Wolf to earn freshman of the year honors, joining Brandon Reed (2009-10), and the first ASU player named to the Sun Belt first team since Adrian Banks in 2006-07.

Omier posted 12.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, and he finished with 15 double-double, the most of any freshman in the nation. The 6-7 forward from Nicaragua recorded two consecutive 18-rebound performances at last weekend’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament. He was named to the conference’s all-tournament team.

“Him making first-team all-conference is just another huge accomplishment,” ASU Coach Mike Balado said. “I always tell my guys I’m not big on individual awards because basketball is a team sport. But I am very proud of him for what he accomplished this year.”

Red Wolves senior Marquis Eaton was named second-team all-conference. The 6-2 guard from Jonesboro scored 14.2 ppg and led the Sun Belt with 124 assists. Eaton is 10th in scoring (1,321 points) and sixth in assists (374) in program history.

Elsewhere in the Sun Belt, University of Arkansas at Little Rock senior Ruot Monyyong was named to the third team. The 6-11 forward recorded 11.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the Trojans. He is UALR’s all-time leader in double-doubles with 31 for his career.

UALR senior Teal Battle and junior Mayra Caicedo each received women’s Sun Belt honors Thursday.

Battle, who led the Trojans with 13.5 ppg this season, was named to the conference’s second team. The 6-1 forward matched her carer-high 25 points to sink ASU on Feb. 13, and scored 25 again to top Georgia State in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Caicedo led the nation with 175 assists and was named to the third team. She set a Sun Belt record with 17 assists against Louisiana-Monroe on Jan. 29.