Feb. 27, 2006

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago sophomore Othyus Jeffers was honored as the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year on Monday as postseason awards were announced. Senior Justin Bowen earned a spot on the All-Horizon League Second Team while freshman Josh Mayo joined Jeffers on the league's All-Newcomer Team.

The voting panel for All-Horizon League awards consists of Horizon League coaches, sports information directors and selected media members.

Jeffers, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward, is the first UIC player to ever garner Newcomer of the Year accolades by the league. He leads the Flames in rebounding (7.6 rpg), assists (2.9 apg) and blocks (0.7 bpg) while ranking second on the team in scoring (11.8 ppg), field goal percentage (49%) and steals (1.0 spg).

Jeffers has tallied a team-high tying seven double-doubles this year and has recorded 10 or more rebounds in a game on 11 occasions.

Bowen earned all-league recognition for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-7 forward is in the midst of a breakout season in which he ranks in the top 10 in the Horizon League in scoring (14.6 ppg/9th), rebounding (7.0 rpg/6th), field goal percentage (52%/6th) and steals (1.3 spg/10th). Bowen is tied with Jeffers for the team lead with seven double-doubles this year.

Mayo has started 24 games for UIC at the point guard position in his rookie season and rates third on the team in scoring (10.2 ppg) and second in assists (2.6 apg). He is the Horizon League's third-best free throw shooter (83%) and leads UIC in three-pointers made with 46.

In other Horizon League awards, Butler's Brandon Polk was named Player of the Year while Bulldogs headmaster Todd Lickliter garnered Coach of the Year honors.

Polk was joined by Blake Schilb (Loyola), DaShaun Wood (Wright State), Joah Tucker (UW-Milwaukee) and Quin Humphrey (Youngstown St.) on the All-Horizon League First Team.

Bowen, along with Brandon Cotton (Detroit), Boo Davis (UW-Milwaukee), Adrian Tigert (UW-Milwaukee) and Ryan Evanochko (UW-Green Bay), made up the All-Horizon League Second Team.

The All-Horizon League Newcomer Team consisted of Jeffers, Mayo, Leon Young (Loyola), Mike Schachtner (UW-Green Bay) and Keston Roberts (Youngstown State).

The Flames will open the Horizon League Tournament at home on Tuesday night by taking on Wright State in an opening-round game at 7:00 p.m.

2006 HORIZON LEAGUE POSTSEASON AWARDS

Player of the Year: Brandon Polk (Butler) Newcomer of the Year: Othyus Jeffers (UIC)

Coach of the Year: Todd Lickliter (Butler)

All-Horizon League First Team:

Brandon Polk (Butler)

Joah Tucker (UW-Milwaukee)

Blake Schilb (Loyola)

DaShaun Wood (Wright State)

Quin Humphrey (Youngstown St.)

All-Horizon League Second Team:

Justin Bowen (UIC)

Brandon Cotton (Detroit)

Adrian Tigert (UW-Milwaukee)

Boo Davis (UW-Milwaukee)

Ryan Evanochko (UW-Green Bay)

All-Horizon League Newcomer Team:

Othyus Jeffers (UIC)

Josh Mayo (UIC)

Mike Schachtner (UW-Green Bay)

Leon Young (Loyola)

Keston Roberts (Youngstown St.)

All-Horizon League Defensive Team:

Torvoris Baker (Detroit)

Majak Kou (Loyola)

Terry Evans (UW-Green Bay)

Adrian Tigert (UW-Milwaukee) DaShaun Wood (Wright State)