GREENVILLE, S.C. — Belmont Abbey senior guard Riley James and freshman forward Brielle George both earned accolades as the Conference Carolinas office released the all-conference awards Thursday. James was named to the all-conference second team while both she and George were named to the All-Defensive Team.

This is the first all-conference honor for James, who has been one of the leaders of the Crusader team all season long. She finished the regular season averaging 9.6 points per game to go with 4.5 assists per game to lead the team. She is also averaging 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest.

The senior guard from Davidsonville, Maryland started all 27 games during the regular season and finished with 11 games in double figures scoring, including 21-point games against Ferrum and North Greenville. She also had a season-high 11 assists in a win over Converse back on February 4 and six steals in a contest at King.

George is on the All-Defensive team as well as she appeared in all 27 games for the Abbey with 18 starts. The freshman from West Palm Beach, Florida finished the regular season averaging 6.9 points and a team-best 8.6 rebounds per game. The rebounding total is the second-best average in the conference this year. She had 11 games in double figures rebounding for the Abbey and also had six double-doubles this season.

One of George's highlights came in the game against Mount Olive where she finished with a career-high 16 points and 17 rebounds. She was also named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month twice this season.

Both student-athletes earned Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season. They also join Peyton Nation who was named to the All-Defensive Team last season.

The full postseason awards are below.

2025-26 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball All-Conference
Player of the Year
Kiara Croskey, Francis Marion

Defensive Player of the Year
Nyeisha Savage, Chowan

Freshman of the Year
Aliyah Hawkins, King

Coach of the Year
Jeri Porter, Francis Marion

First Team
Kiara Croskey, Francis Marion
Nadiya Hairston, Lees-McRae
Naomi Roberts, Emmanuel
Kamryn Bates, Young Harris
Annalise Malone, Young Harris

Second Team
Aliyah Hawkins, King
Lauren Mingo, Barton
Amiya Redus, Shorter
Riley James, Belmont Abbey
Nyeisha Savage, Chowan

Third Team
Layne Sleight, Barton
Natalee Goff, Emmanuel
Kaylee Carson, Lees-McRae
Bre'Asia Washington, UNC Pembroke
Chelsy Singleton, Shorter

All-Defensive Team
Nyeisha Savage, Chowan
Kiara Croskey, Francis Marion
Lauren Mingo, Barton
Brielle George, Belmont Abbey
Riley James, Belmont Abbey