Aug. 7, 2009

www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois women's basketball coach Missy Tiber signed Stephany Neptune for the 2009-10 season, finalizing her roster. On Friday, Tiber announced that the Tusculum College (Tenn.) transfer has signed an athletic aid agreement to play for SIU.

Neptune, a 5-9 forward from Wallkill, N.Y., was a three-year starter for the Pioneers, sitting out the 2006-07 season due to medical redshirt. She helped lead Tiber's Tusculum team to back to back South Atlantic Conference championships and two-straight NCAA tournament appearances.

As a junior, Neptune averaged 13.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.7 steals per contest, earning All-SAC honors. Following the 2007-08 season, she earned WBCA All-America Honorable Mention honors, All-South Atlantic Regional Second Team and All-SAC First Team, averaging 10.9 points and 11.3 rebounds. As a freshman, she earned SAC All-Freshman Team honors after averaging 10.7 points and 9.3 boards per contest.

"Stephany brings to our team experience and a champions mentality," Tiber said. "She will be a great addition in the fact that she will help our players understand what is expected in our system. She is a tremendous athlete and her versatility will allow for her to play just about any position. I couldn't be more excited to have her on the court as a Saluki as we turn this program around. I know she will have an immediate impact in our successes. Stephany is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached, and she understands the effort required to put yourself in a position to compete for championships."

Neptune will join incoming freshmen Katerina Garcia, Renee Reed and Teri Oliver, along with junior college transfers Nneka Nwani and Eboni Crayton and senior Katie Wagner as members of the 2009-10 class.