AMHERST, N.Y. — Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) was named East Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was one of four Wildcats to earn All-ECC honors, the conference announced on Thursday. 

Pikett garnered first-team accolades for the second straight season and All-ECC honors for the third straight year. She was joined by Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.), who made the first team for the first time and collected all-conference recognition for the second straight season. Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) and Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) gained All-ECC honors for the first time in their careers, landing on the third team. Daemen has produced at least one all-conference selection in each of the previous 10 seasons.

Pikett started all 25 games for the Wildcats during the regular season, playing 29.4 minutes per contest. Pikett led the ECC in steals (87) and steals per game (3.5), also sitting ninth nationally in the latter. The forward is fourth in the ECC in blocks (41) and tied for third in blocks per game (1.6). Additionally, Pikett averaged 12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, ranking third on the team in all three categories. She recorded five-plus steals in six contests this season, including a career-high eight in the season-opener against Wilmington (DE). Pikett also logged seven steals against Goldey-Beacom and at Molloy. She surpassed 200 career steals during the Wildcats' game at D'Youville, becoming the ninth player in program history to achieve the feat. The senior also scored in double figures in 14 games, including a career-best 26 points in a victory at home against D'Youville. Pikett earned four weekly awards from the ECC this season, garnering Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week twice.  

Buntley led the Wildcats in scoring (16.9 PPG) on 41.1% shooting, ranking third in the ECC in points per game during the regular season. She started all 25 games, averaging a team-leading 29.6 minutes per contest, while also recording 5.4 rebounds per game, second-best on the team, and 1.7 steals per game. Buntley scored in double-figures in all but four games and logged seven games with over 20 points. The forward helped the Wildcats defeat #24 Holy Family with 27 points, and also scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the home victory over Molloy. The sophomore posted three straight games with 20-plus points, scoring 24 against Roberts Wesleyan, 22 at the University of the District of Columbia, and a career-high 34 at Staten Island. She also tallied a career-high six steals against Roberts.  Buntley dropped 28 points in the Wildcats' season-finale win at Roberts Wesleyan. She was named ECC Player of the Week on Feb. 9 after averaging 28.0 points, 3.0 steals, and 5.0 rebounds per game in wins at UDC and CSI.

Montgomery started all 22 games she played during the regular season, averaging 22.3 minutes per contest. She led the Wildcats and ranked tied for fourth in the ECC in assists per game (3.0). The senior finished second on the team and second in the ECC in steals per game (2.6). Montgomery also averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. She dished out four or more helpers in seven games and posted five-plus steals in five games. Montgomery started the season strong, tallying six steals and four assists while scoring five points in a win at Wilmington (DE). Montgomery also tallied five helpers in the win over Goldey-Beacom. The guard posted a career-high seven assists while logging five steals and scoring 11 points in a win against Texas A&M-Kingsville. Montgomery also dished out five helpers at Franklin Pierce, logged six steals at Molloy, and had five steals against St. Thomas Aquinas. She scored a career-best 17 points in the season finale at Roberts Wesleyan. 

Auer started all 25 of Daemen's games during the regular season, ranking fourth on the squad in minutes per game (28.0). She finished second on the team in field goal percentage (45.9%), averaging 8.8 points per game, sitting tied for fourth on the squad. Auer also averaged 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, ranking tied for 15th in the ECC in the latter. The junior scored in double figures in seven games, including a season-high 20 points in the win over Goldey-Beacom, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. Auer scored 17 points and dished out two assists in the win at St. Thomas Aquinas. The sophomore logged 18 points and seven rebounds to help Daemen defeat Molloy on the road. Auer also recorded 12 points, knocking down two threes, dished out two assists, and corralled five rebounds at home against Roberts Wesleyan. She scored 11 points and collected five rebounds against D'Youville and tallied a season-high five assists against UDC. 

Daemen earned a share of the ECC regular season title and the No. 1 seed, hosting the conference tournament at Lumsden Gymnasium this weekend. The Wildcats play the winner of the first-round game between No. 4 seed D'Youville and No. 5 seed Staten Island in the first semifinal game on Saturday, March 7, at 12 p.m. The winner of the two semifinals will meet for the championship on Sunday, March 8, at 12 p.m. Daemen has won the past four consecutive ECC Tournament Championships. 

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