By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Earning all-conference honors capped Jen Tsurumoto’s fine two year run with the UC Irvine women’s basketball team.

The point guard with the sure shot from Analy high and Santa Rosa Junior College was named Big West All-Conference Honorable Mention after helping lead Irvine to the program’s best record in more than a decade.

The former Santa Rosa Junior College All-California and Empire Player of the Year at Analy was among the top Big West playmakers. Tsurumoto scored more than 13 points and dished 4 plus assists a game. Both averages improved on Tsurumoto’s strong numbers as a Junior.

A big reason for Irvine’s surprising season was Tsurumoto’s improved scoring and steady leadership. Picked to finish eighth in the Big West, the Anteaters took fourth and reached the conference tournament semifinals.

Always a confident player, Tsurumoto knew she could compete in NCAA Division I college basketball after playing with the best in California’s junior college ranks. Tsurumoto was a starter and captain since arriving from SRJC, where she helped lead the Bear Cubs to a California Community College Athletic Association title.

Tsurumoto is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.