SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State's Aubrey Buckley, Danielle Gitzen and Alexa Willard were honored Sunday as team award winners at MSU's annual postseason banquet. Buckley earned Team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors, Gitzen was cited as the team's most improved player, and Willard received the Academic Excellence award.

Buckley started every game for the Lady Bears as a senior, averaging 10.4 points and 6.2 rebounds while leading the Missouri Valley Conference in free throw makes and attempts. The Springfield native drew 28 charges in 33 games, and nabbed 44 steals as the only player to rank in the MVC's top 12 in scoring, rebounds and steals in league games. Buckley started 104 of her 108 career games, finishing with 838 points and 502 boards.

Willard was also in the starting lineup for every game this season, ranking sixth in the MVC in field goal percentage (.481) while averaging 10.8 points and 2.2 rebounds as a first-team all-conference selection. The sophomore guard from Lebanon, Mo., owns a 3.77 GPA in the College of Business. She earned MVC Player of the Week honors on Dec. 18, and averaged 12 points on 52 percent shooting over the season's final 25 games.

Gitzen played in 30 of MSU's 33 games with 29 starts as a junior, averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds with 56 steals to rank third in the MVC. The junior from Victoria, Minn., shot 49.5 percent from the floor to rank fourth in the league, drew 13 charges, and boasted a 1.48 assist:turnover ratio. She scored in double figures 16 times on the year, including 10 of the final 13 games, collected multiple steals in 16 contests, and earned a spot on the MVC All-Defensive Team.

Missouri State went 21-12 last season and finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 15-3 league record. The Lady Bears advanced to the second round of the WNIT in their fourth consecutive postseason appearance.