GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina junior Samantha Pankey (Dilwyn, Va.) has been named to the first-team 2004 Academic All-America Women's Basketball District III University Division Team, announced today by College Sports Information Directors of America.

Pankey, a double major in English and communications, is a two-time Conference USA Commissioner Honor Roll recipient, and a two-time ECU Athletic Director's Honor Roll recipient (2001-03), while compiling an overall GPA of 4.0.

To be eligible for the prestigious award, a player must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 in the classroom and be a starter or key reserve on the basketball court.

Pankey has played in 72 career games with 39 starts. During her junior season, she recorded career-highs in points (10) against instate rival N.C. State, and assists (seven) against N.C. A&T. Currently she ranks first on the team in free throw percentage (.857) and fourth in assists (42).

For her career she is averaging 2.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game, and has a career free throw percentage of .789 (71-of-90).

"This is a great honor for Samantha," said ECU head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener. "I am extremely proud of the effort she has put into the classroom, as well as on the court."