DANBURY, CT – Rider University senior guard Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) has been named the ECAC Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year, the organization today announced. The two-time MAAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year and USBWA and Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention selection adds the latest accolade, along with All-ECAC First Team honors. Rider's first-ever All-American in women's basketball is also a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award and the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year.

"We continue to be so proud of Stella and I am thrilled she continues to receive the recognition she deserves for a tremendous season," said Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan. "Her work ethic and commitment to the success of our program are second to none."

Johnson became the sixth player in the history of the MAAC to be tabbed as the Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. She finished the year as the leading scorer in NCAA Division I at 24.8 points per game, more than a point ahead of the next-closest player. She was also the only active Division I player with 2,000 career points, 700 career rebounds, 400 career assists and 300 career steals.

In her final game of the season, Johnson set a new league record for a single game, scoring 37 points in the Broncs' MAAC Quarterfinal win over Niagara. All nine of her double-doubles came against conference opponents, as did her Feb. 29 triple-double against Canisius. Besides scoring, she also led the MAAC in steals per game (2.9) and minutes per game (37.1).