INDIANAPOLIS – #Macee Williams# and head coach #Austin Parkinson# were named Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively, by the Horizon League, the league announced Wednesday (Feb. 28).

Senior #Danielle Lawrence# was named All-League First Team and fellow senior #Jenna Gunn# was named to the All-Defensive Team.


After posting one of the best freshman year's in IUPUI history, Williams was honored with the Horizon League Freshman of the Year as well as being named to the All-Freshman Team and the All-League Second Team.

"Not only was Macee the top freshman, but she was also one of the top post players in the league," said Parkinson. "To come in as a freshman and play with her level of maturity is something you don't see often. She has definitely been a difference maker for our team."

Williams was second on the team with 13.1 points per game and led the Jags with 7.6 rebounds per game. Her field goal percentage of 65.8 percent is fifth in the NCAA. Williams finished the regular season with six double-doubles and scored in double-figures in 21 games, including seven-straight games to end the season. Williams 21 games in double figures is tied with Kerah Nelson for the most by a freshman in the last ten seasons.

Williams was a six-time Horizon League Freshman of the Week, the most earned by a player in the Horizon League this season.


Parkinson took home his second-career Coach of the Year award after being named Summit League Coach of the Year in 2013. Parkinson's squad entered its first year in the Horizon League picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll and finished alone in second-place with a 13-5 conference record. The 13 conference wins are the most in IUPUI history.

Parkinson also guided his team to a school record 13 road wins, as the Jags went 13-3 on the season and 8-1 in Horizon League play away from The Jungle. Parkinson has done this with a fairly young roster that featured only five upperclassman that saw significant playing time. The Jags won 20+ games for the third-straight season and are the No. 2 seed in their conference tournament for the second-straight season and fourth in the last six years. Parkinson could also guide his team to a postseason berth for the third-straight year, a first for IUPUI.


Lawrence earned All-League First Team honors after leading the Jags and finishing third in the Horizon averaging 17.5 points per game. Lawrence has been the go-to offensive threat for the Jags, scoring in double figures in 23 of her 27 games. Lawrence finished the season scoring 10 or more points in 14 consecutive contests. She also had a three-game streak of 28 points or more from Feb. 10 to Feb. 15 and scored 20+ points in 10 games.

"Danielle put together on of the more impressive senior seasons in IUPUI history and really had some big games offensively," said Parkinson. "It's great to see her make the First Team for the third-straight year."

Lawrence reached the 1,500 career point mark against Detroit Mercy on Feb. 17, becoming just the fourth Jaguar to reach the total. She now sits at third on the all-time school scoring list with 1,562 points. Lawrence posted a career-high 38 points against Memphis, the fifth-highest mark in school history.

It is the third-straight year Lawrence has been named to an All-Conference First Team after being named First-Team All-Summit League in 2015 and 2016.


Gunn earned her first All-Defensive Team nod as a stopper for the Jags, constantly guarding the opposing team's best wing player. On the year, Gunn was second on the team with 43 steals and had a season-best six steals in IUPUI's win over Georgetown (Ky.) earlier this year. Gunn finished with at least one steal 22 of her 29 games and ended the season with eight-straight games with a steal.

"I am really pleased to see Jenna recognized for her impact on the defensive end," said Parkinson. "She is the smartest defender I've ever coached and always guards the best wing threats."

IUPUI is the No. 2 seen at the Little Caesar's Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship. The Jags will take on the winner of the game between No. 7 Oakland and No. 10 UIC on Saturday (March 3) with tip-off scheduled for Noon ET. The game can be seen on ESPN3 or fans can listen to Scott Agness call the action on IUPUIJags.com.