Basketball players Colley and Scrubb win BLG Awards as top CIS athletes

CALGARY – Justine Colley from Saint Mary’s University won the BLG Award as Canadian Interuniversity Sport female athlete of the year on Monday while fellow basketball player Philip Scrubb of Carleton University took the men’s honour.

Colley, a native of East Preston, N.S., averaged 20.8 points per game and won her fourth straight scoring title. The fifth-year guard led the CIS in assists (5.7) and steals (3.8) per game.

She guided Saint Mary’s to a perfect 20-0 record in league action and the top of the national rankings. Both were firsts for the program.

The 22-year-old commerce student had 38 points in a semifinal win over Saskatchewan at the CIS championship in Windsor, Ont. The Huskies won a silver medal at the tournament.

Colley became the all-time scoring leader in CIS women’s basketball history this past season with 2,376 points. She finished her university career with five selections as a first-team Atlantic University Sport all-star, three first-team all-Canadian nods and three CIS scoring crowns.

“She is simply one of the best leaders I have ever been around,” said Saint Mary’s head coach Scott Munro. “Her desire to compete and win separates her from any other student-athlete I have coached. Justine is certainly a unique individual.”

Scrubb, meanwhile, led his team in points (18.6) and assists (4.9) per game. The fourth-year commerce student was ranked in the top 10 nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio, three-point shooting, free-throw percentage and assists.

The six-foot-three guard from Richmond, B.C., helped the Ravens capture their fourth consecutive CIS title. Scrubb helped Carleton to a 33-1 record against CIS opponents and a win over arch-rival Ottawa in the national final.

“Phil is a highly talented and well-accomplished player,” said Carleton head coach Dave Smart. “His ability speaks for itself in his success. He is a humble and selfless individual regarding the team.

“He is an extremely good student, balancing his dedication to the team and sport with his academics.”

Eight student-athletes were nominated for the awards. The winners were selected by the Canadian Athletic Foundation and each receives a $10,000 scholarship to attend a graduate program at a Canadian university.

It was the second time in the awards’ 22-year history that basketball players swept the honours. Windsor’s Jessica Clemencon and Carleton’s Tyson Hinz were the last to do so in 2011.