Hanner Retrospective: Blake, Days-Bryan & Dunn Lead Conference Dominance
10/28/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Trio of GS Athletic Hall of Famers were a huge part of seven conference championships in the 80s/early 90s
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern athletics has produced many great athletes and record-setting legends who are still recognized at Georgia Southern to this day.
One of the best players in the history of GS women's basketball is Regina Days-Bryan, who joined the Lady Eagles in 1984. Regina held nine school records after her senior year and currently still holds four.
During her time as an Eagle, she led the NCAA Division I in field goal percentage during the 1985-86 season, achieving a remarkable 65.1%, which still ranks eighth-best in a single season in NCAA history. Other records include:
Career free throw attempts: 233
Single-season field goal percentage: 70.5
Single-season free throw attempts: 233
Days-Bryan played for the Eagles from 1984 to 1988, recording 2,091 career points, which gives her a career scoring average of 18.8, the second highest in program history. She also ranks third in career rebounds with 1,078, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. Days-Bryan led the Lady Eagles in scoring three times (1985, 1986, 1989) and was named the New South Women's Athletic Conference Player of the Year in both 1986 and 1988. An all-conference selection three times (sophomore, junior, and senior), she has 11 career games with 30 or more points, including a career-high 39 points against Georgia State on January 13, 1986.
Another titan of Georgia Southern women's basketball, Phylette Blake, stands shoulder to shoulder with Regina Days-Bryan in the program's storied history. A four-year starter at forward from 1985 to 1989, Blake's legacy is highlighted by her selection to the American Women's Sports Federation's First Team All-America. With an impressive 2,140 career points, she remains the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Eagles, averaging 19.8 points per game over her career.
Blake's senior season in 1988-89 was nothing short of spectacular; she tallied 780 points—an average of 26.0 per contest—which still stands as the highest single-season total in program history. Her dominance on the court is reflected in her 15 career games scoring 30 or more points, including a record-setting 46 points against Charleston Southern.
Blake's defensive skills are equally noteworthy, as she holds the career record for blocked shots and blocks per game. Recognized as a two-time New South Women's Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Blake's contributions did not end with her playing career; she played professionally overseas for three years before returning to Georgia Southern as an assistant coach in the fall of 1995.
Another standout in the rich history of Georgia Southern women's basketball is Jill Dunn, who played from 1989 to 1993 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. During her time as a Lady Eagle, Dunn earned four letters and played a crucial role in two conference championships—one in the Trans America Athletic Conference in 1990 and another in the Southern Conference in 1993.
Her leadership helped guide the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1993, where she notably served as the squad's high scorer with 11 points in their opening game against Alabama. Dunn's skill from beyond the arc was remarkable; she held the school record for career three-point field goal percentage at 37.3% until 2020 and knocked down an impressive 38.6% of her attempts during the 1990-91 season, still ranking as one of the best in program history.
With 318 career assists and 164 steals, she remains a prominent figure in the Lady Eagles' record books. Following her playing career, Dunn transitioned into coaching, serving as the head coach at Western Carolina for two years and later at Jacksonville University for nine years, where she won 149 games.
The legacy of Georgia Southern women's basketball is a testament to the remarkable talent and dedication of its players, from Regina Days-Bryan and Phylette Blake to Jill Dunn. Earlier this year, both Days-Bryan and Blake had their jerseys retired, a fitting tribute to their extraordinary contributions to the program.
These athletes not only set records but also paved the way for future generations, demonstrating the power of teamwork, perseverance, and excellence on the court. As the program continues to evolve, the impact of these legends remains a cornerstone of Georgia Southern's rich athletic heritage, inspiring current and aspiring Lady Eagles to reach new heights in their pursuit of greatness.
