MOUNT VERNON – Cornell first-year forward Erin Knowles has been named Region 9 Rookie of the Year by D3hoops.com for the 2024-25 women's basketball season.
 
Knowles shared the Rookie of the Year award with Paige Seckar of UW-Oshkosh. The honor goes to the top freshman player in each of the 10 regions in NCAA Division III.
 
Knowles is the first Ram to gain the distinction in the 24 years D3hoops.com has announced all-region awards.
 
Earlier this month, Knowles was voted to the All-Midwest Conference First Team and tabbed MWC Newcomer of the Year, also the first Cornell player ever to claim both awards in one season.
 
The versatile 6-foot-1 Knowles enjoyed one of the most prolific individual campaigns in program history, shattering school records for most points (479) and free throws attempted (184). Her 19.2 points per game is the second-highest clip all-time.  
 
Knowles ranks in the Top 30 nationally this season in scoring average, free throws made and free throws attempted. She shot 49.3 percent from the field and 67.9 percent from the foul line while draining 22 3-point goals. Knowles led the team in rebounds (7.3 rpg), steals (1.4 spg) and blocked shots (0.5 bpg).
 
Knowles posted 26 points and 18 rebounds in her first collegiate game and wrapped up an extraordinary regular season with a 27-point, 18-rebound effort in a postseason-clinching win over Knox.
 
Knowles scored in double figures in all 25 of her starts and totaled five double-doubles (points-rebounds). She anchored a young Cornell squad to a 14-11 record and fourth-place finish in the MWC at 10-6.