ELLENSBURG, Wash.— Central Washington's Samantha Bowman has been named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association women's basketball All-American Second Team, the organization announced Friday.
 
Bowman, a junior from Zillah, Wash., is Central's first women's basketball NCAA All-American selection since 2002, and only the second overall.

"I'm so extremely proud of Sam and all of her accomplishments this season," CWU head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "Her consistent determination and dominance in her position this year was unmatched. She is well-deserving of this honor. I'm so happy for her and our program to be receiving this recognition."
 
A 6-2 center, Bowman led the Wildcats to their most successful season of the Division II era, helping Central to its first GNAC championship and an appearance in the West Regional for just the second time in program history.
 
Bowman, who currently leads all levels of NCAA basketball in rebounding, finished the season averaging 16.2 points, 15.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game. She set school and GNAC records for rebounds in a season (477) and a game (29).
 
In the postseason, Bowman excelled as the Wildcats marched to the GNAC title. She earned Tournament MVP honors by averaging 11.3 points and 17.3 rebounds in three games. In Central's 57-46 win over Western Washington in the championship game, Bowman grabbed a GNAC Tournament record 23 rebounds and scored 12 points.
 
The 6-3 center, named First Team All-GNAC and First Team All-West Region by the D2CCA, posted a Division II-leading 25 double-doubles this season, with four separate 20-point, 20-rebound efforts.