DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman head women's basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis announced on Tuesday that Ashanti Hunt has been granted an extra year of eligibility and will return to the court for the 2019-20 season.

The Washington, D.C. product, named the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Defensive Player Of The Year, played just two games of what was supposed to be her senior year before suffering a season-ending injury.

"We are extremely delighted to have Ashanti back," Blair-Lewis said. "She has played a key role in the success of this program. This gives us extra incentive to get back to the NCAA tournament so she can have those well-deserved March moments on the court."

Hunt has averaged 8.9 points and 6.5 rebounds during her BCU career, but is primarily known for her role as a defensive stopper. The Lady Wildcats have consistently ranked among the MEAC's top teams for points allowed and opponent field goal percentage during Hunt's time in Daytona Beach.

B-CU is coming off a 21-11 campaign last season that saw the Lady Wildcats overcome the loss of Hunt and other key players to injury to defeat Norfolk State 57-45 in the MEAC tournament championship for their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.