Senior MyNeshia McKenzie a first team selection. Photo by Gregg Slaboda

LAWRENCEVILLE — For the second straight year, MyNeshia McKenzie has a chance to win the women’s Player of the Year in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

McKenzie was one of five Rider players honored by the league on Monday during its annual pre-tournament conference call.

A senior forward from Springfield, Pa., McKenzie was a first-team selection for the second straight season. She ranks second in the MAAC in scoring (19.5 ppg) and rebounding (11.1).

The five players on the first team are eligible for Player of the Year.

Joining McKenzie on the first team are the Iona duo of Damika Martinez and Joy Adams, Marist’s Emma O’Connor and Fairfield’s Katie Cizynski. Martinez, the reigning POY, leads the league in scoring, averaging 24.6 points per game for the Gaels, who won a share of the regular-season title along with Marist.

On the men’s side, seniors Danny Stewart and Anthony Myles landed on all-conference teams.
Stewart (15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds) was a second-team selection while Myles (16.1 ppg) picked up third-team honors.

The men’s Player of the Year will be one of the following five who were first-team all-conference selections: Iona’s Sean Armand and A.J. English, Quinnipiac’s Ike Azotam, Canisius’ Billy Baron and Manhattan’s George Beamon.

A pair of Broncs also got all-Rookie honors with Jimmie Taylor and Julia Duggan both getting spots.
Taylor has been Rider’s most consistent performer throughout the season, averaging 12 points per game.

Both Taylor and Duggan can win Rookie of the Year when the award, along with Player of the Year, is announced Friday in Springfield, Mass.

Both Rider teams are in action Thursday when the conference tournament tips off.

The men (13-16) are the No. 8 seed and face No. 9 Monmouth at 5 p.m.

The women (13-15) slipped to the No. 6 seed on the final day of the regular season, missing out on a first-round bye. They play No. 11 seed Saint Peter’s at 1:30 p.m.