BG News Sports Blog

2010 MAC Tournament Central

2010-03-14T20:00:00Z

**Scroll down the page for news on other Falcon teams**

LAST UPDATE: Thursday, March 11, at 12:12 a.m.

What's next for the Falcons

*Next women's game: No. 1 BG vs. No. 4 Akron, Friday, March 12 at 2:30 p.m. (start time is approximate)
*Next men's game: Eliminated by No. 7 Western Michigan in first-round action

Brackets

MBBracket.pdf

WBBracket.pdf

Thursday, March 10, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*None at this time

Results:
*Coming soon

Men's schedule
*No. 7 Western Michigan vs. No. 2 Central Michigan, noon
*No. 6 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 3 Akron, 2 p.m.^
*No. 9 Ohio vs. No. 1 Kent State, 7 p.m.
*No. 5 Buffalo vs. No. 4 Miami, 9 p.m.^
*Harner's picks

^Times are approximate and games will start 30 minutes after end of previous game

Thursday's top performer:
*Coming soon

Honorable mention:
*Coming soon

Thursday's top moment:
*Coming soon

Honorable mention:
*Coming soon

For news and results from Saturday-Wednesday, please click continued.

]]> Wednesday, March 9, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*BG's Scott Thomas named All-MAC Honorable Mention
*Women's teams eliminated today: No. 7 Ball State, No. 6 Central Michigan, No. 8 Miami, No. 5 Eastern Michigan
*Women's semifinal matchup set: No. 2 Toledo vs. No. 3 Kent State
*Women's semifinal matchup set: No. 1 BG vs. No 4. Akron

Results:
*No. 4 Akron 72, No. 5 Eastern Michigan 46
--Kara Murphy, UA, 19 points
--Ayla Guzzardo, UA, 13 points, four assists, two steals
--Tavelyn James, EMU, 17 points
--Stats | Recap

*No. 1 BG 91, No. 8 Miami 58
--Tara Breske, BG, 20 points, six rebounds
--Lauren Prochaska, BG, 15 points, five rebounds, two steals
--Jen Uhl, BG, 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists
--Kirstin Olowinski, MU, 14 points, seven rebounds
--Courtney Osborn, MU, 10 points, four assists
--Stats | Recap | Feature

*No. 3 Kent State 68, No. 6 Central Michigan 55
--Jamilah Humes, KSU, 24 points (22 in second half), nine rebounds
--Taisja Jones, KSU, 10 points, 11 rebounds
--Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals
--Yoshica Spears, KSU, 12 points, nine rebounds, five steals
--Stats | Recap

*No. 2 Toledo 67, No. 7 Ball State 56
--Melissa Goodall, UT, 14 points, 11 rebounds
--Naama Shafir, UT, 18 points, seven assists
--Tanika Mays, UT, 14 points, six rebounds
--Ty'Ronda Benning, BSU, 16 points, six assists
--Audrey McDonald, BSU, 14 points, six rebounds
--Stats | Recap

Women's schedule:
*No. 7 Ball State vs. No. 2 Toledo, noon
*No. 6 Central Michigan vs. No. 3 Kent State, 2:25 p.m.^
*No. 8 Miami vs. No. 1 Bowling Green, 4:55 p.m.^
*No. 5 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 4 Akron, 7:10 p.m.^

^Times are approximate and games will start 30 minutes after end of previous game

Wednesday's top performer
*Jamilah Humes, KSU, 24 points (22 in second half), nine rebounds

Honorable mention:
*Melissa Goodall, UT, 14 points, 11 rebounds
*Tara Breske, BG, 20 points, six rebounds
*Taisja Jones, KSU, 10 points, 11 rebounds
*Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals

Wednesday's top moment
*Falcons shoot 65 percent from 3-point range during 33-point blowout against Miami

Honorable mention
*Toledo wins; will make 20th semifinals appearance
*Kent State's Jamilah Humes scores 22 second-half points and scores 1,000th point of her career
*Akron earns first MAC Tournament win since 2001; advances to second semifinal in school history

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

MAC Tournament News
*Lauren Prochaska repeats as women's MAC Player of the Year
*Akron's Jodi Kest named MAC women's Coach of the Year.
*Women's All-MAC selections and specialty awards announced.
*Three more men's basketball awards handed out.

Schedule:
*No games

Monday, March 8, 2010

MAC Tournament News
*David Kool named MAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
*Geno Ford named MAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year

Schedule:
*No games

Sunday, March 7, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*Women's team eliminated: Ohio
*Men's teams eliminated: BG, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Toledo
*Lauren Prochaska (BG) and Tavelyn James (EMU) named the final MAC Women's Basketball Players of the Week.
*Anthony Simpson (KSU) and Robbie Harman (CMU) named the final MAC Men's Basketball Players of the Week.

Women's results
*No. 6 Central Michigan 69, No. 11 Ohio 66
--Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 25 points, 11 rebounds
--Thia Gholston, OU, 16 points, 10 rebounds
--Jenny Poff, OU, 17 points, five 3-pointers, four steals
--Shonda Long, CMU, 12 points, seven rebounds
--Stats | Recap

Men's Results:
*No. 7 Western Michigan 75, No. 10 BG 73
--David Kool, WMU, 20 points, six rebounds, five assists
--Scott Thomas, BG, 23 points, four assists
--Flenard Whitfield, WMU, 19 points, six rebounds
--Marc Larson, BG, 12 points, 11 rebounds
--Stats | Recap

*No. 9 Ohio 85, No. 8 Ball State 77 (OT)
--Armon Bassett, OU, 25 points
--D.J. Cooper, OU, 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists
--Randy Davis, BSU, 21 points, five assists
--Stats | Recap

*No. 5 Buffalo 72, No. 10 Toledo 54
--Max Boudreau, UB, 18 points, six rebounds
--Jake Barnett, UT, 14 points, nine rebounds
--Stats | Recap

*No. 5 Eastern Michigan 65, No. 11 Northern Illinois 59
--Brandon Bowdry, EMU, 19 points, 12 rebounds
--Sean Kowal, NIU, 15 points, 11 rebounds
--Xavier Silas, NIU, 20 points
--Stats | Recap

Men's schedule:
*No. 10 Bowling Green at No. 7 Western Michigan, 2 p.m.
*No. 11 Northern Illinois at No. 5 Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m.
*No. 9 Ohio at No. 8 Ball State, 2 p.m.
*No. 12 Toledo at No. 5 Buffalo, 2 p.m.
*For Harner's picks, click here.

Women's schedule:
No. 11 Ohio at No. 6 Central Michigan, 5 p.m.

Sunday's top performer
*Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 25 points, 11 rebounds

Honorable mention:
*David Kool, WMU, 20 points, six rebounds, five assists
*Scott Thomas, BG, 23 points, four assists
*Armon Bassett, OU, 25 points
*Brandon Bowdry, EMU, 19 points, 12 rebounds

Sunday's top moment
*Eastern Michigan men's team erases 14-point deficit to win against Northern Illinois

Honorable mention
*Ohio and Ball State battle to overtime
*BG's Marc Larson records first career double-double in final game
*Buffalo downs Toledo by MAC Tournament school-record 18 points

Saturday, March 6, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*Teams eliminated: No. 9 Northern Illinois, No. 10 Western Michigan and No. 12 Buffalo

Results:
*No. 7 BSU 67, No. 10 WMU 43
--Ty'Ronda Benning, BSU, 13 points, six assists
--Audrey McDonald, BSU, 13 points
--Miame Giden, WMU, 13 points
--Recap | Stats

*No. 5 EMU 66, No. 12 UB 56
--Cassie Schrock, EMU, 27 points, four steals
--Kourtney Brown, UB, 19 points, 16 rebounds
--Lindsey Mahone, EMU, 10 rebounds, nine points
--Recap | Stats

*No. 8 Miami 67, No. 9 NIU 66
--Mauvolyene Adams, NIU, 18 points, 18 rebounds
--Maggie Boyer, UM, 18 points, five assists
--Kirsten Olowinski, UM, 17 points, seven rebounds
--Recap | Stats

Schedule:
*No. 9 Northern Illinois at No. 8 Miami, 1 p.m.
*No. 10 Western Michigan at No. 7 Ball State, 2 p.m.
*No. 12 Buffalo at No. 5 Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m.
*For Harner's picks, click here.

Saturday's top performer
*Cassie Schrock, EMU, 27 points, four steals

Honorable mention:
*Mauvolyene Adams, NIU, 18 points, 18 rebounds
*Kourtney Brown, UB, 19 points, 16 rebounds

Saturday's top moment
*Miami rallies to take lead with 2:27 left in game to win

Honorable mention
*Cassie Schrock scores career-high 27 points for Eastern Michigan
*Western Michigan coach Tasha McDowel called for a technical foul in loss to Ball State

Petruska finishes fifth in Hobey Baker fan vote

2010-03-11T18:33:41Z

After wrapping up a stellar season, it has been announced that senior forward Tomas Petruska finished fifth in the Hobey Baker fan vote, receiving just over 11,000 votes.

Petruksa set a career high this season in goals (10), assists (14) and points (24). He has also shown that he is not afraid to shoot, as he posted a team high 127 shots, 38 more than David Solway, who was second on the team. He also posted one of the better plus/minus ratings on the team, going -7 on the year, which tied him with Ian Ruel for second on the team among players who suited up for at least 30 games.

Petruska was also great in the shootout this year, scoring on two of his four attempts, both of which were game winners.

The final ten nominees for the award will be announced on March 18, which the fan vote counting for one percent of the final decision. The winner of the award will be announced April 9 at the Frozen Four in Detriot, Michigan.

Harner picks the MAC Tournament: Men's Quarterfinals

2010-03-11T15:36:38Z

No. 7 Western Michigan vs. No. 2 Central Michigan, noon

Central Michigan is the MAC West champion. But Western Michigan has a better overall record this season, the best player in the league in David Kool and one win against the Chippewas this year. When the day is done, WMU will still have a better overall record and the best player in the league, but they will also have two wins against the Chippewas.

WMU 78, CMU 70

No. 6 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 3 Akron, 2 p.m.^

Right now, there is only one team in the MAC that can beat Akron. It's not Eastern Michigan.

Akron 86, EMU 62

No. 9 Ohio vs. No. 1 Kent State, 7 p.m.

The Bobcats will give the Flashes a scare, but in the end, Kent State will still come out on top.

Kent State 81, Ohio 77

No. 5 Buffalo vs. No. 4 Miami, 9 p.m.

Miami defense vs. Buffalo offense = a good, tight matchup that ends in overtime.

Buffalo 75, Miami 72

^Times are approximate and games will begin 30 minutes after previous matchup finishes

Falcons out-slug Sacred Heart 16-10

2010-03-11T07:50:10Z

The BG baseball team wasted no time getting out to a huge lead Tuesday, as they led Sacred Heart 8-0 after two innings. They then proceeded to score eight more runs the next two innings.

Dennis Vaughn had a huge day at the plate, going 3-5 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Derek Spencer went 3-5 with his first home run of the year, adding three RBIs ad two runs.

The top two in the Falcons line-up did a great job setting the table for the heart of the order, as leadoff hitter Jon Berti (pictured) was 4-6, scoring three times, and Ryan Schlater went 2-3, while walking twice, adding two RBIs and two runs scored.

Patrick O'Brien got the start for BG, and did not fare well. He lasted only 2.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on four hits and two walks, striking out two.

In the next 2.2 innings, Steven Barrett and Nick Bruns combined to give up five runs--four earned--on eight hits and a walk.

Patrick Martin picked up the win in relief, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three.

The win moves the Falcons' tournament record to 3-1, and overall record to 3-7. Later today, the Falcons take on Yale in a doubleheader.

Breske, Uhl dominate paint in win against Miami

2010-03-11T02:47:52Z

CLEVELAND -- It was one of the Falcons' best offensive performances to date, and BG senior Tara Breske will be the first to admit it.

"It was one of the top ones," Breske said.

The BG women's basketball team clicked on all cylinders in their lopsided 91-58 win against Miami in the Mid-American Conference Quarterfinal at Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday night, advancing to the semifinal game against Akron on Friday at 2:30 p.m.

The Falcons shot 50 percent (36-for-72) from the field and no starter played more than 27 minutes - including Breske and Jen Uhl.

In just 24 minutes of work, Breske dominated the paint for 20 points and six rebounds to help the No.1 seed BG take down No. 8 Miami.

Breske, who was named player of the game, finished 9-of-15 from the field and contributed to a BG offense that outscored Miami 42-24 in the paint.

Uhl, who played 20 minutes, came two rebounds shy of a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds.

"Without question, that is our best post-production as a unit all year," BG coach Curt Miller said.

Both Breske and Uhl, however, got their teammates involved as well. The two post players combined to dish out seven assists as the Falcons were just as hot from the perimeter as they were inside.
]]>
"[Breske and Uhl] really set the tone," Miller said.

Playing inside-out is something the Falcons have been trying to perfect all season, and with it being the MAC Tournament, the team realizes they have to make the most of their play inside the paint.

"It's been a challenge all year to have better post production," Breske said. "It's MAC Tournament time. It's the time of year where you need to bring everything together."

Falcons crush Miami in MAC Tournament Quarterfinal

2010-03-11T00:10:00Z

CLEVELAND -- Teams live and die by the 3-pointer, and against Miami, the BG women's basketball team was living large as they hit 65 percent (13-for-20) from behind the arc to defeat the RedHawks 91-58 in the Quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Cleveland Wednesday.

Down 7-5 early, the No. 1 seed Falcons took an 8-7 lead off a 3-pointer from MAC Player of the Year Lauren Prochaska at the 17:34 mark and never looked back, increasing their lead to as high as 14 points leading to a 40-29 advantage at the break against No. 8 Miami.

BG connected on 5-of-8 shots from behind the arc in the first half and much of the credit goes to the Falcons' inside presence, which was dominated by senior Tara Breske.

Breske tallied 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting in the first half, essentially setting up an outside presence for the Falcons.

"That made our 3-ball easier because we were playing inside-out," BG coach Curt Miller said. "I'm really excited because we've looked for that all year. That was a big difference in the game."
]]>
Breske was named the player of the game, finishing with a game-high 20 points on 9-of-15 from the field in 24 minutes of work. She also was active on the rebounding end grabbing six.

Breske was just one of four Falcons to finish in double-figures, as Prochaska, Tamika Nurse and Jen Uhl posted 15, 14 and 11 points, respectively. As a team, BG shot 50 percent (36-for-72) from the field, including 13 from long distance.

"When we have a balanced attack inside and outside it leads to good results," Breske said.

For the RedHawks, Kirsten Olowinski led the way with a team-high 16 points, while MAC Freshman of the Year Courtney Osborn struggled to find her shot, finishing with 10 points on just 4-of-15 from the field.

BG held Miami to a dismal 36 percent (23-for-64) from the field, and as good as the Falcons have been this season, Wednesday's matchup with the RedHawks was one of their best.

"That's as good as we've played all year," Miller said.

Fifteen players saw action for the Falcons against Miami, including four freshmen. Jessie Tamerlano, Allison Papenfuss, Chrissy Steffen and Simone Eli combined for 23 minutes on the floor.

With the win, the Falcons advance to the semifinals on Friday to play No. 4 Akron, who easily took care of No. 5 Eastern Michigan 72-46 Wednesday night. BG went 2-0 against the Zips during the regular season.

Kantola to tryout for Norfolk Admirals

2010-03-11T00:05:23Z

(from bgsufalcons.com)

A day after teammate Kyle Page signed to play with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) it was announced that another BGSU Falcon would get his shot at playing professional hockey. Kai Kantola had signed a Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) with the Norfolk Tide, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kantola comes off a senior campaign where he scored 12 points (5g, 7a) for the Falcons. Of his five goals, three were scored on the power play. As the season progressed, Kantola improved in the goal scoring column having scored four of his five goals from Jan. 3 on. All of his goals this season were scored in games decided by one goal or less. He had his most consistent stretch of games scoring a point in four straight matches between Nov. 6 and Nov. 14 (1-3--4) including a goal against Ferris State (Nov. 7) in a 3-2 loss. Against the then No.1 Miami RedHawks, Kantola posted his tenth multiple point game when he scored a power-play goal and an assist in a 3-2 Falcon loss. He also blocked a career-high 14 shots this season.

After the signing was confirmed, BGSU Falcons interim head coach Dennis Williams said, "Kai has always kept his feet moving and moves the puck well. He has got some great size and speed and with all that together, he can definitely use that to his advantage moving on as a professional hockey player."

Kantola finished his career with Bowling Green recording an assist in the team's 6-1 loss to Nebraska-Omaha in the finale game of the CCHA Tournament's first round action between the Falcons and the Mavericks. He leaves Bowling Green having played in 135 games, scored 28 goals, 26 assists (54 points) and notched 13 power-play goals over his four year career.

After Kantola's signing, the Falcons have now sent two of its seniors of to play or tryout for a professional team. Yesterday, Kyle Page signed with the nearby Toledo Walleye of the ECHL and is expected to be in action in the team's game in Trenton, N.J. for the Walleye's game against the Devils.

"It's nice from our stand point (BGSU) to see us prepare players for their professional careers and its great to see people interested in our players," said Williams. "They both certainly deserve it."

Women's Basketball Live Blog: BG vs. Miami

2010-03-10T21:53:05Z

Women's Basketball Live Blog

Falcons to play in Legends Classic

2010-03-10T21:10:21Z

The Falcon men's basketball team will get an early test next season, as they will partake in the Legends Classic.

The Legends Classic is not a typical tournament. Four teams - Syracuse, Michigan, Georgia Tech and UTEP - will be able to play for the championship.

In the first round of the tournament (Nov. 17-21) will be regional action held on the campuses of the four teams mentioned above. The Falcons will have one game in that round.

On. Nov. 26-27, the Falcons will play two second-round games (referred to as the subregional round) at either Detroit or William & Mary. Meanwhile, the four first-round hosts will play a championship bracket.

Full tournament matchups will be announced at a later date.

Other teams playing in the tournament are: Albany, Gardner-Webb, Mercer, Niagara and Western Carolina.

BG vs. Miami preview

2010-03-10T15:40:25Z

What: Mid-American Conference Tournament - Second-round action
Who: No. 1 BG vs. No. 8 Miami
When: 4 p.m. (or 30 minutes after the previous game)
Where: Quicken Loans Arena

Coach Curt Miller on facing Miami for a third time this season:
"Miami is a tough matchup for us," Miller said. "What concerns you the most ... was their length. We will continue to prepare ... on how we can be more productive offensively."

Miller on winning the MAC Tournament:
"It is very, very difficult to win the MAC Tournament," Miller said. "You can throw seeds out now. No longer is it about the best team winning the conference, it's about the team who plays the best over a four-day stretch."

]]> Lauren Prochaska, Tracy Pontius and Tamika Nurse (all minor injuries) are expected to play against Miami.

BG tourney history:
Under Miller, the Falcons are 15-5 in MAC Tournament games, including a 2-0 mark against Miami.

Against Miami this season:
The Falcons beat Miami in Anderson Arena 85-65 and narrowly beat the RedHawks at Millet Hall 63-58.

Men's All-MAC squads announced, Thomas earns Honorable Mention

2010-03-10T15:09:43Z

BG sophomore Scott Thomas was named All-MAC Honorable Mention by the league office this morning.

Thomas has a stellar season for the Falcons, leading the team in almost every statistical category, including points (13.2) and rebounds (6.3) per game.

In the final 17 games of the season, Thomas shot 48 percent from the field and averaged 16.9 points per game.

He started all 30 games this season, emerging as a star and a leader after averaging just 13.2 minutes and 3.7 points per game as a freshman

Thomas scored 23 points in BG's first-round MAC Tournament game against Western Michigan on Sunday, but it was not enough to lead the Falcons to a win.

Click continued to see the entire list of All-MAC selections.
]]> All-MAC First Team
Jimmy Conyers, Akron
Rodney Pierce, Buffalo
Kenny Hayes, Miami
David Kool, Western Michigan
Chris Singletary, Kent State

All-MAC Second Team
Jordan Bitzer, Central Michigan
Robbie Harman, Central Michigan
Carlos Medlock, Eastern Michigan
Brandon Bowdry, Eastern Michigan
Justin Greene, Kent State

All-MAC Honorable Mention
Chris McKnight, Akron
Brett McKnight, Akron
Jarrod Jones, Ball State
Scott Thomas, Bowling Green
Calvin Betts, Buffalo
Justin Dobbins, Eastern Michigan
Julian Mavunga, Miami
Xavier Silas, Northern Illinois
D.J. Cooper, Ohio
Armon Bassett, Ohio

All-Freshman Team
Zeke Marshall, Akron
Jauwan Scaife, Ball State
D.J. Cooper, Ohio
Jake Barnett, Toledo
Nate Hutcheson, Western Michigan

Former Falcon star headed to NCAA Tournament

2010-03-10T04:33:28Z

A former Falcon football and men's basketball star will coach a team in this year's NCAA Tournament.

Greg Kampe's Oakland, Mich., squad punched their ticket to the Big Dance Wednesday night after defeating IUPUI 76-64 to win the Summit League Men's Basketball Tournament.

For Kampe - who was this season's Summit League Coach of the Year - this will be his second appearance in the NCAA Tournament after his squad rallied to make an appearance in 2005. He led Oakland to appearances in the Division II tournament for four seasons from 1994-1997.

He lettered in basketball for the Falcons from 1976-1978 and was named to the Academic All-MAC team in 1978.

Kampe also played football for the Falcons from 1975-1977, serving as a punter and a defensive back.
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He is also sixth in the University's record books for career punts with 167.

His four interceptions in 1977 led the Falcons. In 1976 and 1977, Kampe was named to the All-MAC Second Team as a defensive back.

Surprisingly, Kampe is not a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Kyle Page signs with Walleye

2010-03-09T21:40:02Z

Former BG captain Kyle Page has signed with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. Page, a CCHA scholar-athlete this past season, posted a career-high three goals and 14 assists in his final collegiate season.

"I'm very proud that everything Kyle has brought to this team and the program," said interim head coach Dennis Williams of the signing. "It really attributes to the type of player that he is. Being able to sign to a team that close to home is going to put him a very nice spot and he will do well for them."

Toledo sits in seventh place in the ECHL's American Conference with 66 points. Page will look to help improve a defense that has let up the third most goals in ECHL play this year, 224.

Currently on the road, the Walleye will return home March 19 for a game with the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Toledo is an affiliate of both the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

Had I had a ballot...

2010-03-09T17:01:13Z

Obviously since we are a college publication we don't get any say in the Mid-American Conference postseason awards for any sport.

But if I did have a ballot for the men's and women's three biggest postseason awards, here is what it would have looked like.

Men's Player of the Year
*David Kool, Western Michigan

Kool was easily the best all-around player in the MAC this season. He led the league in scoring and came through in the clutch when his team needed him most, as the Falcons learned first-hand in the first-round of the MAC Tournament.

Men's Coach of the Year
*Geno Ford, Kent State

Had the Flashes not won the regular-season finale against Akron to win the MAC title, Ford would not have won this award for real nor would he appear on my ballot. It would have been Akron's Keith Dambrot instead. Miami's Charlie Coles is also a viable option here because he turned his team around quite well, but he didn't factor into the real balloting or my own.

Men's Freshman of the Year
*D.J. Cooper, Ohio

Cooper led all rookies in scoring, assists and rebounding. In addition, he led the league in steals per game. Clearly the best rookie this season, Cooper likely will have a Player of the Year award in his trophy case before his career is finished.

Click continued to see my picks for the women's awards.
]]> Women's Player of the Year
*Kourtney Brown, Buffalo

Lauren Prochaska from BG won the award for real and is also a deserving player. Although Buffalo was a painfully awful team this season, they would have been beyond painfully awful without Brown's double-double per game. Meanwhile, without Prochaska, the Falcons probably would still have a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament and a good chance of winning it all. Therefore, Brown was more valuable to her team no matter how insignificant they were.

Women's Coach of the Year
*Curt Miller, Bowling Green

Akron's Jodi Kest won the award, and there is no reason she should not have given her record-breaking campaign. In reality though, the award is virtually a coinflip between her and Miller. My coin just happens to land with Miller, as he led the Falcons to another regular-season MAC title doing so after losing his top defender and incorporating a transfer student into his starting five.

Women's Freshman of the Year
*Courtney Osborn, Miami

There were very few rookies that made an impact on the women's game this season. Of them, Osborn and Akron's Rachel Tecca were the head of the class, but Osborn's numbers clearly stood above Tecca's this season. Watching these two play head-to-head for the next three seasons will be a treat for MAC women's basketball fans.

Prochaska repeats as MAC Player of the Year

2010-03-09T15:55:00Z

UPDATE: 10:55 a.m.

For the second consecutive season junior forward Lauren Prochaska has been named the Mid-American Conference's Player of the Year. Prochaska earned the honor after a season during which she averaged 17.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.

"Lauren is the most unselfish superstar that I have worked with during my 20 years of collegiate coaching," coach Curt Miller said.

Prochaska is now the sixth player in conference history to earn the award on multiple occasions, with Ohio's Caroline Mast being the only player to win it more then twice.

The award has also resided in BG since the 2006-07 season when Ali Mann was name Co-MAC P-O-Y and then Kate Achter brought home the award in 2007-08. In the season that Acther won the MAC P-O-Y honors, Prochaska was a freshman and named second team All-MAC.

Joining Prochaska on an All-Conference team is junior guard Tracy Pontius, who was named to the second team.

The MAC Coach of the Year award was also handed out, and Miller did not win for the sixth consecutive season, as the award went to Akron Jodi Kest.