COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) announced its 2023-24 All-Midwest Region Women's Basketball Team on Thursday, March 14^th.

McKendree University junior guard Clare Breden was named to the second team after helping the Bearcats to a season of new heights, which saw them compile 20 wins and earn their highest seeding in the GLVC tournament. . Starting in all 28 regular season games, the Jerseyville, Illinois native averaged 17.7 points per game, while shooting 47.9% from the field. She also was a 36.2% shooter from distance and shot 80.3% from the charity stripe. Her points per game co-lead the GLVC in that category, she was 6^th in field goal percentage and 10^th in free throw percentage.

"We are proud of Clare for this award and all her achievements this past season. Clare's progress in the last year is impressive and her dedication to the weight room, I believe, was a big part of her success," said Head Coach Keri Kerkhoff. "We are excited for Clare's return next season and her continued impact she will have on McKendree Women's Basketball program."

Breden posted 15 or more points in 20 of the games this season, including a season high of 27 points against Truman State on November 25, 2023. She surpassed the 1,000 career point mark on January 27^th against the Missouri S&T Miners.

This is the first all-region honor in the D2 Era for the Bearcats.

Sports information directors from NCAA Division II Midwest Region schools and conferences selected the D2CCA all-region teams. The process concludes with All-American selections announced later in the month. The NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association sponsored the All-Region teams.

 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Pos. Name                        School                               Year

G/F Reese Schaaf            Drury                                 So.

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Name                        School                               Year

G Rylie Bisballe                Grand Valley State          Jr.

G Keeley Carter               Trevecca Nazarene         Sr.

F/C Chloe Idoni                Ferris State                       Sr.

F Annie Roshak                Ashland                             Sr.

G/F Reese Schaaf            Drury                                 So.

SECOND TEAM

Pos. Name                        School                               Year

G Clare Breden                McKendree                      Jr.

G Grace Hilber                 Lewis                                 Gr.

G Makaylee Kuhn            Northern Michigan             Sr.

F Zoe Miller                      Ashland                             Jr.

F Ellie Weltha                   Truman State                    Gr.