Troy University Athletics
Lewis and Shearing to Represent Country
5/11/2009 8:00:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. - Basketball Australia has announced the athletes selected to represent Australia in basketball at the 2009 World University Games in July.
The women's team contains eight athletes and three coaches from the Women's Basketball National League (WNBL), with the remaining Australian players selected from American universities.
Amy Lewis, the fourth-leading scorer in Troy University history, was one of the nine WNBL players chosen to play for the team. Meanwhile, current Troy University player, and 2009-10 senior, Alyce Shearing, was also selected to play as one of the three collegiate players.
"This is a terrific honor for Amy and Alyce," Troy women's basketball head coach Michael Murphy said. "It has been their dream to represent their country in international competition, and this is a great way to do that."
Lewis played from 2004 until 2008 with the Trojans, and graduated the program with 1,586 points in her career. She played in 115 games throughout her career, and left as one of the most prolific shooters in school history. Lewis is the school's all-time leader in free throw percentage (.788), fourth in field goals attempted (1,392), third in 3-point field goals made (165) and fourth in 3-point field goals attempted (460). After completion of her collegiate career, Lewis signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBL. She survived until the last cut, at which time she returned to Australia to play in the WNBL.
Lewis will be coached by her current WNBL coach, Peter Buckle of the Townsville Fire.
Meanwhile, Shearing averaged 13.6 points per game down the stretch to help the Trojans win seven of 10 games to close this past season. She scored in double figures in 10 of those games, and the Trojans won both games down the stretch in which Shearing scored 20+ points. The upcoming senior at Troy scored a career-high 19 points against Spring Hill earlier in the season, and then bettered that mark against Arkansas State with 26 points. She also recorded her first career double-double this past season against Western Kentucky University with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She will return for her senior season following the World University Games.
Shearing is joined on the team by other collegiate representatives Emma Langford (University of Wyoming), Lauren Mansfield (Midland Junior College) and Louella Tomlinson (St. Mary's College) - the sister of former Trojan Samantha Tomlinson.
"At the same time, they are representing Troy University," Murphy said. "We are very proud to have them represent us at the World University Games, and wish them success with the team. To have Troy represented by two players out of all the Australian players playing in the United States says a lot about those two players, and says a lot about our program."
The World University Games (WUSG) are held every two years under the banner of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and in 2009 will be held in Belgrade, Serbia from July 1-12.
Australia is the reigning WUSG Gold Medalist in women's competition, having defeated Russa in the final of the 2007 event.
Athletes seeking selection in basketball must be at least 17 years of age and less than 24 years of age on January 1 the year of the event, as per new FISU regulations and must be proceeding towards a diploma or higher at either an Australian or Overseas University/TAFE, or have graduated from a suitable institution prior to the competition.
