TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State senior guard Natalia Lalic was selected Friday as the school's annual Brenda Howell Award winner, as announced by head coach Chad Killinger.
 
"The Brenda Howell Spirit Award has been a staple of the program for quite some time," Killinger said. "It honors the commitment that Brenda made to Indiana State women's basketball by recognizing a student-athlete who embodies that same commitment."
 
The Brenda Howell Spirit Award is awarded annually to an Indiana State women's basketball student-athlete who exhibits the spirit, determination and positive attitude that Brenda Howell did. Howell was a longtime Sycamore women's basketball supporter who passed away in 2005.
 
Lalic, a 5-11 guard from Adelaide, Australia, has shifted into a prominent role in the Sycamore lineup this season, starting 20 of the 21 games she has played in while ranking third on the team at 27.2 minutes per game. After averaging 2.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in her first season on campus, the 2020-21 season, Lalic has burst on the scene and improved her numbers across the board. She currently averages 7.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, while also adding 1.5 assists per contest. Her scoring numbers have jumped during conference play to 9.2 points per game, where she has knocked down 33 percent of her 3-point attempts.
 
"Throughout the course of the season, Natalia has shown the spirit, determination and positive attitude that this award recognizes," Killinger said. "She has battled nagging injuries at different times, but continues to simply show up and give her best effort while also taking care of her responsibilities academically. She truly embodies the nature of this award and we are proud to have it presented to her."
 
Lalic will be honored with the award in a pregame presentation prior to tipoff of Friday's game against Loyola Chicago.
 
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