BENIMON NAMED AP HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN
Towson Junior Listed Among the Nation’s Best Players

TOWSON, Md. – Towson University junior forward Jerrelle Benimon added to his list of postseason accomplishments on Tuesday when he was selected as an Honorable Mention All-American by The Associated Press.

The All-America honor is the first of Benimon’s career, while he is the third Tiger to earn the accolade. Towson standout Devin Boyd earned AP All-America status in 1991, a year after Kurk Lee was honored.

Benimon, who was also recently named a Lou Henson All-American, ranked second in the nation with 20 double-doubles. The 6-8 forward was the fourth leading scorer in the Colonial Athletic Association with 17.1 points per game and reached double figures in 27 of 31 outings.

The 2013 CAA Player of the Year, Benimon led the conference and ranked third in the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and his 346 rebounds set a Towson single-season record. It was the sixth-highest rebound total in a season in CAA history. Showing his all-around game, Benimon was also third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.3 percent) while leading Towson with 79 assists.

Led by Benimon and head coach Pat Skerry, Towson is coming off its most successful season since 1993. The Tigers, who went 18-13 overall and finished second in the CAA, recorded the largest single-season turnaround in NCAA history during the 2012-13 season. Towson returns four of five starters next season, including Benimon.

2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS DIVISION I ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM
Trey Burke, Michigan
Otto Porter Jr., Georgetown
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Doug McDermott, Creighton
Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga

2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS DIVISION I ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Mason Plumlee, Duke
Shane Larkin, Miami
Ben McLemore, Kansas

2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS DIVISION I ALL-AMERICA THIRD TEAM
DeShaun Thomas, Ohio State
Jeff Withey, Kansas
Russ Smith, Louisville
Erick Green, Virginia Tech
Nate Wolters, South Dakota State

2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS DIVISION I ALL-AMERICA HONORABLE MENTION
Kyle Barone, Idaho; Jerrelle Benimon, Towson; Anthony Bennett, UNLV; Tommy Brenton, Stony Brook; Sherwood Brown, Florida Gulf Coast; Isaiah Canaan, Murray State; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia; Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse; Ian Clark, Belmont; Jake Cohen, Davidson; Jack Cooley, Notre Dame; D.J. Cooper, Ohio; Allen Crabbe, California; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Seth Curry, Duke; Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s; Gorgui Dieng, Louisville; James Ennis, Long Beach State; Chris Flores, NJIT; Jamal Franklin, San Diego State; Ian Hummer, Princeton; Colton Iverson, Colorado State; Joe Jackson, Memphis; Kareem Jamar, Montana; Lamont Jones, Iona; Ray McCallum, Detroit; Rodney McGruder, Kansas State; Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA; Erik Murphy, Florida (1 first-team vote); Mike Muscala, Bucknell; Stan Okoye, VMI; Jamal Olasewere, LIU Brooklyn; Phil Pressey, Missouri; Augustine Rubit, South Alabama; Peyton Siva, Louisville (1); Taylor Smith, Stephen F. Austin; Omar Strong, Texas Southern; Kendall Williams, New Mexico; Pendarvis Williams, Norfolk State; Khalif Wyatt, Temple.

BENIMON NAMED TO LOU HENSON ALL-AMERICA TEAM

BOSTON, Mass. - In recognition of his stellar junior season, Towson University forward Jerrelle Benimon was named to the Lou Henson All-America Team. The award recognizes the top mid-major college basketball players in the country.

Rather than assemble a first team, second team, third team and honorable mention; the Lou Henson All-America team is one squad consisting of 25 players. Benimon is also a finalist for the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year Award.

The 6-5 forward recorded double-doubles in 20 of the Tigers’ 31 contests en route to being named the 2013 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Benimon was the CAA’s fourth-leading scorer with 17.1 points per game and reached double figures in 27 of 31 outings.

The junior forward led the CAA and ranked third in the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and his 346 rebounds set a Towson single-season record. It was the sixth-highest total in a season in CAA history. Showing his all-around game, Benimon was also third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.3 percent). He led Towson with 79 assists.

2013 Lou Henson All-America Team

Travis Bader, Oakland
Billy Baron, Canisius
Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
Tommy Brenton, Stony Brook
Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso
Isaiah Canaan, Murry State
Jackie Carmichael, Illinois State
Will Cherry, Montana
Jake Cohen, Davidson
D.J. Cooper, Ohio
Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s
James Ennis, Long Beach
Shane Gibson, Sacred Heart
Juan’ya Green, Niagra
Corey Hawkins, UC Davis
Tyler Haws, BYU
Troy Huff, North Dakota
Lamont Jones, Iona
Zeke Marshall, Akron
Jake Odum, Indiana State
Jamal Olasewere, LIU-Brooklyn
Keith Rendleman, UNC Wilmington
Augustine Rubit, South Alabama
Colt Ryan, Evansville
Taylor Smith, Stephen F. Austin

BENIMON EARNS NABC ALL-DISTRICT FIRST TEAM HONORS
National Association of Basketball Coaches Recognizes Towson Junior

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Junior Jerrelle Benimon of Towson University has been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 10 first team. The NABC announced its 24 Division I all-district teams today.

Benimon, who was named the 2013 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year and earned ECAC Division I All-Star accolades, recorded double-doubles in 20 of the Tigers’ 31 contests. He is currently tied for the second highest total in Division I. He was the CAA’s fourth-leading scorer with 17.1 points per game and reached double figures in 27 of 31 outings.

The junior forward led the CAA and ranked third in the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and his 346 rebounds set a Towson single-season record. It was the sixth-highest total in a season in CAA history. Showing his all-around game, Benimon was also third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.3 percent). He led Towson with 79 assists.

Benimon was joined on the District 10 first team by UNC Wilmington’s Keith Rendleman, Delaware’s Devon Sadler, Northeastern’s Joel Smith and William & Mary’s Marcus Thornton.

Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, these student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across America. The 242 student-athletes, from 24 districts, are eligible for the NABC Coaches’ Division I All-America teams.

To see the complete list of 2012-13 NABC Division I All-District teams, visit http://www.nabc.org/awards/all_district/FINAL-2012-13NABC-D1-ALL-DISTRICT-TEAMS-3.pdf

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Mo., the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest “Phog” Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today’s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.

BENIMON NAMED ECAC DIVISION I ALL-STAR
Junior Forward Averaged 17.1 Points and 11.2 Rebounds

CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Towson Junior forward Jerrelle Benimon has been selected to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Men’s Basketball All-Star team, announced by ECAC Interim Commissioner Steve Bamford.

Benimon, the 2013 CAA Player of the Year, recorded double-doubles in 20 of the Tigers’ 31 contests, which is currently tied for the second most in Division I. He was the league’s fourth-leading scorer with 17.1 points per game and reached double figures in 27 of 31 outings.

The junior forward led the CAA and ranked third in the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and his 346 rebounds set a Towson single-season record and were the sixth-most in a season in CAA history. Showing his all-around game, Benimon was also third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.3 percent) and his 79 assists were the most of any Towson player.

Junior forward Otto Porter from Georgetown and Boston College freshman guard Olivier Hanlan were named ECAC Player of the Year and ECAC Rookie of the Year, respectively.

The teams were selected based on a vote of Division I coaches.

Player of the Year   
Otto Porter, Georgetown University

Rookie of the Year
Olivier Hanlan, Boston College

First Team
Khalif Wyatt, Temple University
Shabazz Napier, University of Connecticut
Lamont Jones, Iona College
Mason Plumlee, Duke University
Otto Porter, Georgetown University
Mike Muscala, Bucknell University

Second Team  
Ramon Galloway, LaSalle University
Joe Harris, University of Virginia
Jerrelle Benimon, Towson University
Jamal Olaswere, LIU Brooklyn

JERRELLE BENIMON & PAT SKERRY TAKE TOP HONORS AT ANNUAL CAA AWARDS BANQUET
Tigers Take Home CAA Player and Coach of the Year Honors

RICHMOND, Va. – Towson junior forward Jerrelle Benimon was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball Player of the Year in voting by the league’s head coaches, media relations directors and members of the media. The announcement was made Friday night at the league’s pre-tournament awards banquet in Richmond, Va.

Also receiving top honors were Towson’s Pat Skerry as the CAA Coach of the Year, Georgia State freshman guard R.J. Hunter as the CAA Rookie of the Year and Delaware senior forward Jamelle Hagins as the CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Northeastern senior guard Jonathan Lee was the recipient of the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award.

Benimon is the first Towson player to earn CAA Player of the Year honors. The junior forward recorded double-doubles in 20 of the Tigers’ 31 contests, which is currently tied with UNCW’s Keith Rendleman for the most in Division I. He was the league’s fourth-leading scorer with 17.1 points per game and reached double figures in 27 of 31 outings.

Benimon led the CAA and ranked third in the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and his 346 rebounds set a Towson single-season record and were the sixth-most in a season in CAA history. Showing his all-around game, Benimon was also third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.3%) and his 79 assists were the most of any Towson player.

Skerry guided Towson to the biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I history this year. After going just 1-31 during Skerry’s inaugural campaign in 2011-12, the Tigers posted an 18-13 mark this season, which was the most victories by a Towson squad since 1993-94. Their 13-5 record in CAA play and second-place finish in the league standings were also the best ever.

Towson won 12 of its 18 games away from home (9 away/3 neutral), which was the program’s highest total since 1976-77. The Tigers closed the season with eight victories in their final nine contests.

Benimon was also named to the All-CAA first team and the CAA All-Defensive Team.

Joining Benimon on the All-CAA first team were Hunter, Rendleman, Delaware junior guard Devon Saddler, and Northeastern senior guard Joel Smith.

Joining Benimon on the CAA All-Defensive Team were Hagins, Rendleman, Hofstra senior guard Stevie Mejiaand Georgia State senior center James Vincent.

Towson was also represented on the CAA All-Rookie team as Tiger freshman Jerome Hairston joined Hunter, James Madison guard Andre Nation, Old Dominion guard Keenan Palmore and Northeastern guard David Walker to make up the squad.

Hairston, who was the only other vote getter aside from Hunter for the CAA Rookie of the Year award, ranked second among freshmen in the league in scoring at 9.9 points per game. He led the Tigers in steals (35) and was second on the team in both assists (77) and three-point field goals (38).

Two Tigers were also recognized for their work in the classroom. Sophomore guard Kris Walden was named to the CAA All-Academic Second Team and graduate student Bryan Blackstone was chosen CAA All-Academic Honorable Mention.

2012-13 CAA Player of the Year - Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
2012-13 CAA Coach of the Year - Pat Skerry, Towson
2012-13 CAA Rookie of the Year - R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
2012-13 CAA Defensive Player of the Year - Jamelle Hagins, Delaware
2012-13 CAA Dean Ehlers Leadership Award - Jonathan Lee, Northeastern

First Team All-CAA
Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
Keith Rendleman, UNCW
Devon Saddler, Delaware
Joel Smith, Northeastern

Second Team All-CAA
Jamelle Hagins, Delaware
Damion Lee, Drexel
Frantz Massenat, Drexel
Marcus Thornton, William & Mary
Sherrod Wright, George Mason

Third Team All-CAA
Quincy Ford, Northeastern
Rayshawn Goins, James Madison
Jonathan Lee, Northeastern
Devon Moore, James Madison
Tim Rusthoven, William & Mary
Jarvis Threatt, Delaware

CAA All-Rookie Team
Jerome Hairston, Towson
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
Andre Nation, James Madison
Keenan Palmore, Old Dominion
David Walker, Northeastern

CAA All-Defensive Team
Jerrelle Benimon, Towson
Jamelle Hagins, Delaware
Stevie Mejia, Hofstra
Keith Rendleman, UNCW
James Vincent, Georgia State

CAA All-Academic First Team
Kyle Anderson, Delaware
Kyle Gaillard, William & Mary
Donte Hill, Old Dominion
Shane Reybold, UNCW
Tim Rushoven, William & Mary

CAA All-Academic Second Team
Brandon Britt, William & Mary
Daquan Brown, Hofstra
Jonathan Lee, Northeastern
Tanner Milson, UNCW
Kris Walden, Towson

CAA All-Academic Honorable Mention
Bryan Blackstone, Towson
Brett Goodloe, William & Mary
Fred Heldring, William & Mary
Doug Howard, William & Mary
Anton Larsen, Old Dominion
Stevan Manojlovic, Drexel
Andrew Pavloff, William & Mary
Tom Schalk, William & Mary
Will Townsville, Delaware

TOWSON TRAVELS TO GEORGE MASON FOR ROAD FINALE ON TUESDAY
Game Can Be Seen Live on Comcast SportsNet

FAIRFAX, Va. - Towson will play its final road game of the season on Tuesday as the Tigers travel to George Mason for a 7 p.m. contest that will air live on Comcast SportsNet.

Al Koken and Ron Thompson will be on the call from the Patriot Center as two of the top four teams in the league standings square off.

The game can also be heard on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti calling the action.

Towson (16-13, 11-5 CAA) has won six of its last seven games, including a dramatic 72-71 win over Drexel on Saturday. The win gave the Tigers their most victories in a season since 1995-96.

The Tigers have played extremely well on the road this season, picking up 11 wins away from the Towson Center, including a 6-2 mark in CAA play. However, Towson has lost its last 14 games played at George Mason and have not defeated the Patriots on the road since 1977.

Towson is led by Lou Henson Award finalist Jerrelle Benimon, who is tied for the NCAA-lead with 19 double-doubles. The junior led the Tigers with 19 points against Drexel on Saturday and has scored in double figures in 17 of his last 18 games.

Tiger freshman Jerome Hairston was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Monday after scoring a career-high 20 points against the Dragons. Hairston shot 3-for-5 from beyond the arc en route to winning his fourth league award of the season.

George Mason (17-11, 10-6 CAA) has won three of its last four games, including a thrilling 60-58 triumph over William & Mary on Saturday. Sophomore Erik Copes hit a 13-foot jumper with less than a second remaining to push the Patriots past the Tribe.

Junior guard Sherrod Wright leads Mason in scoring at 16.6 points per game, while classmate Bryon Allen ranks fifth in the CAA averaging 3.7 assists per game.

Tuesday’s game will be the 41st all-time meeting between Towson and George Mason.

JERRELLE BENIMON NAMED FINALIST FOR 2013 LOU HENSON AWARD
Junior Forward Tied for the NCAA Lead with 19 Double-Doubles

BOSTON, Mass. - Junior forward Jerrelle Benimon of Towson University is among 25 finalists for the 2013 Lou Henson Award, it was announced on Monday. The award is presented annually to the top mid-major player in college basketball.

For the second straight year CollegeInsider.com is working with Point3 Basketball to promote the Lou Henson award “fan vote,” which will constitute 33% of the final vote.

Benimon is averaging 16.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season. He is tied for the NCAA lead with 19 double-doubles and he is fourth in the nation in rebounding. The 6-8 junior leads the Tigers in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks. Benimon has been named as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week four times.

Due in large part to the play of Benimon, Towson (16-13, 11-5 CAA) has recorded its highest victory total since 1995-96. With two games remaining, the Tigers have a chance to record the largest single season turnaround in NCAA history.

The 2013 Award will be presented at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet in Atlanta, site of the men’s NCAA Basketball Championship.

The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the top Mid-Major player in Division I college basketball. The award is named in honor of Lou Henson, who retired after a spectacular coaching career that lasted 41 years. When he retired from coaching in 2005, he was sixth all-time in Division I career wins with 779. He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State and he is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two different schools to the Final Four.

TOWSON, Md. - The Towson men’s basketball team will play two of its final three games at home, starting with a matchup against Drexel on Saturday at 12 noon.

The game, which is being sponsored by PNC, can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti callling the action.

Towson (15-13, 10-5 CAA) is coming off a 57-50 win at Hofstra on February 16. The Tigers have won five of their last six games and are currently tied with Delaware for second-place in the league standings.

Drexel (11-16, 7-8 CAA) will be playing its third game in six days on Saturday. The Dragons are coming off a tough 73-71 double overtime loss at Delaware on Thursday.

Sophomore guard Damion Lee leads the Dragons and ranks fourth in the CAA by averaging 17.1 points per game. Junior point guard Frantz Massenat averages 14.1 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Towson will be looking for its first season sweep of Drexel since the 2001-02 season. The Tigers won at Drexel on January 5 behind the 18-point, 16-rebound effort from junior forward Jerrelle Benimon.

The Tigers will be seeking their 16th win of the season, which would be their most since the 1995-96 season.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Towson men’s basketball team will play its third straight road game on Saturday as the Tigers travel to Hofstra to battle the Pride at 4 p.m.

The game can be heard live on the Towson Sports Network with Damon Lewis and Vince Angotti calling the action.

Towson (14-13, 9-5 CAA), which had its four-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday at James Madison, currently sits in third-place in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) standings.

Since the start of CAA play, the Tigers lead the league in scoring at 73.9 points per game. They’ve also been strong on the defensive side, pacing the conference in rebounding margin (+6.4) and blocked shots per game (5.8).

Towson junior Marcus Damas has scored in double figures in six straight games, including a game-high 19 points at James Madison on Tuesday. Graduate student Bilal Dixon has recorded consecutive double-double performances and is averaging 10.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in his last three games.

Hofstra has dropped eight of its last nine games and enters Saturday with a 6-19 overall record and a 3-9 mark in CAA games.

The Pride are led by sophomore guard Taran Buie, who averages 13.5 points per game. Junior forward Stephen Nwaukoni paces the team in rebounding at 7.9 boards per game.

Hofstra is 5-6 at home this season with wins over Marshall, Georgia State and William & Mary.

Towson has dropped seven straight to the Pride and have not won at Hofstra since Feb. 25, 2002.

The Tigers will be seeking their 11^th win away from home on Saturday, a total they haven’t reached in a single season since winning 13 under Angotti during the 1976-77 season.

-TowsonTigers.com-

TOWSON SEEKS FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN TUESDAY AT JAMES MADISON
Game To Be Televised on Comcast SportsNet

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Towson men’s basketball team will be seeking its longest winning streak since 2000 when the Tigers travel to James Madison on Tuesday night to take on the Dukes at 7 p.m.

The game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet with John Castleberry and Charlie Woolum calling the action. Fans can also listen to the game on the Towson Sports Network with Spiro Morekas and Vince Angotti on the call.

Towson (14-12, 9-4 CAA) won its fourth straight game with a 90-82 overtime victory at Georgia State on Saturday.

Junior guard/forward Rafriel Guthrie came off the bench to score a career-high 23 points and dish out a career-best six assists in the win.

The Tigers have boasted two four-game winning streaks this year but haven’t owed a five-game streak since the 2000-01 season.

James Madison (14-12, 8-5 CAA) will be looking to avenge its worse loss ever to Towson, a 73-47 setback to the Tigers on January 19 in Maryland.

The Dukes have won five of seven since that loss and are currently fourth-place in the CAA standings, just a game behind the second-place Tigers.

Senior forward Rayshawn Goins leads the Dukes in both scoring (13.7 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg), while senior guard Devon Moore leads the CAA by averaging 4.5 assists per game.

In the first meeting between the squads, Towson forward Jerrelle Benimon led five Tigers in double figures with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Towson outscored James Madison, 42-19, in the second half.

-TowsonTigers.com-