RUSTON ââ'¬" In only her first season in Ruston, Louisiana Tech guard Taylor Stahly has already made her mark on the Lady Techster record books for her play on the court, specifically her ability to shoot the basketball from beyond the three-point line.

On Thursday Stahly made even more history.

This time it came off the court as the Newton, Kansas native was named to the Conference USA Women's Basketball All-Academic Team. She joins Abby Sissom (Middle Tennessee), Deanna Kuzmanic (UAB), Erica Ogwumike (Rice) and Ivy Brown (WKU) on the five-member team voted on by the league's Sports Information Directors and released by the league office today.

Stahly becomes the first Lady Techster basketball player to earn the prestigious honor since the program since the conference almost five years ago.

"We are proud of Taylor for being named to the All-Academic team," said LA Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. "The honor is a result of her hard work and dedication on the court and in the classroom. I am appreciative of the efforts of Thomas Graham, our academic advisor, and our staff for continuing to encourage our students to pursue excellence in the classroom."

The 5-foot-9-inch sharp shooter currently holds a 4.0 grade point average in kinesiology and health promotions.

"Being named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team is a true honor," said Stahly. "Our coaches have been so influential in my life, not only from the basketball aspect of things, but from the academic aspect as well. To them, giving your best in the classroom is just as important as giving your best on the court, and that is something not every student-athlete gets stressed to them.

"I'm so thankful for Thomas Graham as well. He puts in so much time and effort to get all of us in the best situation possible with our academics, and we are so grateful to have him. It's a true honor to be a part of something like this and all I can say is that I am truly blessed."

On the court Stahly has already set a Lady Techster record by hitting at least one three-pointer in 28 straight games (surpassing the old mark of 25 by her current head coach and former Techster Brooke Stoehr). She has hit 78 three-pointers this year and needs nine more to break Aarica Ray-Boyd's single season record of 86.

Stahly is averaging 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 43 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three-point line and 93 percent from the free throw line. She is the only Conference USA player to have hit at least one three-pointer in every game this season. She has scored in double figures 16 times.

The honor should come as no surprise to those who know Stahly. During her playing days at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, she earned National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-American accolades while earning her associates of science degree.

She helped lead Hutchinson to back-to-back Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference championships while earning all-region and all-conference honors.

Stahly leads the Lady Techsters into tonight's regular season finale against Rice. Tipoff from Tudor Fieldhouse is set for 5 p.m.