Four named to Omaha World-Herald's NAIA all-Nebraska squad

Omaha World-Herald Release

Four Bellevue University men's basketball players were named to the Omaha World-Herald's NAIA basketball team.

First team selection Lee Ames, who was named the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference's Newcomer of the Year, led the Bruins in scoring with 14.1 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 45.3 percent from beyond the arc and 89.7 percent at the free throw line. He also finished 10th in the NAIA with 91 made 3-pointers.

The Phoenix, Ariz. native scored a career-high 33 points and set the single-game school record with nine 3-pointers in the Bruins' 108-62 win over Waldorf College on Feb. 11.

Given Kalipinde was named to the second team after being named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year and averaged 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 55.3 perent from the field. He also leads the team with 64 steals this season.

He was named the MCAC Player of the Week on Jan. 20 and scored a season-high 27 points (Feb. 8) against Oklahoma Wesleayn University.

Thomas Hammock (10.9 ppg), Taylor Young (12.7 ppg) earned honorable mention honors. Hammock was second in the nation in 3-pointers made with 114 and Young paced the Bruins in assists with 110.

The Bruins finished the season with a 29-6 overall record and a 12-2 mark in the MCAC. BU won both the regular season and tournament conference titles to advance to its 12th-straight NAIA II National Tournament appearance.

First Team
G - Nick Reed, Doane, 22.3 (honorary captain)
F - Trevor Johnson, Nebraska Wesleyan, 17.5
G - Brady Lollman, Hastings, 20.1
G - Ben Imig, Midland, 18.0
G - Lee Ames, Bellevue, 14.1

Second Team
G - Galen Gullie, Midland, 12.2
G - Given Kalipinde, Bellevue, 11.9
G - Adam Vogt, Concordia, 14.5
G - Dylan Brewer, York, 18.2
C - Alex Starkel, Midland, 12.1

Bellevue honorable mention: Thomas Hammock, Taylor Young