Monday, March 14, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. – Led by Regional Player of the Year Andy Avgi of Western Oregon, the GNAC picked up three out of 10 spots on the 2016 Division II Collegiate Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-West Region Men’s Basketball Team.

Avgi was a first team selection for the second consecutive year. The Player of the Year accolade adds to a long list of postseason honors for the senior, including First Team All-GNAC and GNAC Player of the Year.

Avgi was joined on the first team by Alaska Anchorage junior guard Sekou Wiggs. Seattle Pacific senior guard Mitch Penner was elected to the second team.

Leading Western Oregon to the GNAC regular season and tournament titles, the No. 1 ranking in the West Region and the right to host the West Regional, Avgi ranked second in the GNAC in scoring with 19.8 points per game and averaged 5.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage of 53.3 was sixth best in the GNAC, and he was fourth in the league with 40 blocked shots (1.3 per game).

In his first year with the Seawolves, Wiggs led the GNAC in scoring with 24.1 points per game and ran away with the conference’s Newcomer of the Year award as he was the only player in the league to top 20.0 points per game. The junior also ranked third in rebounding (7.3 rpg) and steals (1.6 spg), fourth in 3-pointers made (2.1 per game), ninth in assists (3.3 apg), and led the league in minutes played with 34.9.

Penner, a First Team All-GNAC selection, led Seattle Pacific to its 12th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. He finished fourth in the GNAC in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game, and was seventh in field goal shooting at 52.1 percent.

First-team all-region members are now eligible for the D2CCA All-America teams, which will be announced prior to the 2015-16 NCAA Division II Elite Eight on Mar. 21.

For more information about the D2CCA, visit the organization online here and follow the official D2CCA Twitter handle here.