February 28, 2008

Beranek, Lever Lead Men's All-RMAC Selections

Lever RMAC's Top Defender, Freshmen

     Kearney, Neb. –  Sophomores Drake Beranek and Jeff Martin, and freshmen Garrett Lever, have been named to the 2008 All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) team.

      The team, voted on by the league's head coaches, was released earlier today.

      Beranek (Ravenna) was named first-team All-RMAC and first-team East Division while Lever (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Martin (Bellevue West) were both named honorable mention East Division.

      In addition, Lever was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and was also selected as the RMAC's top freshmen. He joins Nick Svehla (1999) and Dusty Jura (2004) as Lopers selected as RMAC Freshmen of the Year.

      The only sophomore to earn either first or second team honors, Beranek currently leads the league in scoring (20.8), rebounds (9.4) and minutes played (37.9). He also is tied for third in steals (2.0) and is tied for fourth in three pointers made (2.3).

      Nationally, Beranek ranks 10^th in NCAA Division II in scoring. Last year, he was selected honorable mention East Division after averaging 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

      Lever has led Division II in steals per game (3.7) for most of the year. He'll need six steals in the RMAC Tournament to break the school record of 89, set by Mike Hancock in 1995-96.

      The point guard is also scoring 12.0 points and handing out a team-best 3.7 assists per game. Finally, Lever is shooting a solid 72.3 percent (107 of 148) at the free throw line.

      Martin is among the RMAC leaders in free throw percentage (83.9) and three pointers made (62). He currently is second on UNK in scoring (13.8) while ranking third in both assists (2.0) and steals (1.6).

      Like Beranek and Lever, Martin also logs over 34 minutes per game.

      Colorado Christian senior forward Brian Stamer was named RMAC Player of the Year (20.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg) with CCU's David Daniels being tabbed RMAC Coach of the Year.

      UNK (15-12), which tied CCU for the East Division title, hosts Mesa State Friday night in the first round of the RMAC Tournament. The complete All-RMAC team is available at www.rmacsports.org.