RELEASE DATE: 3/08/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JASON BENSON AND CARLOS COLLAZO NAMED TO ALL-PSAC EAST HONORS – BENSON FIRST TEAM SELECTION, COLLAZO NAMED TO SECOND TEAM

MANSFIELD – Jason Benson (Pittsburgh/Schenley) was named to First Team All-PSAC East honors and teammate Carlos Collazo (Vega Baja, PR) to Second Team honors in voting conducted among the head PSAC East coaches and released today.

Benson was second in the PSAC in scoring averaging 18.4 points per game. He was also 9^th in free throw percentage (.773) connecting on a school record 153-of-198 from the charity stripe. Benson also ranked 14^th in the PSAC in steals per game (1.66) and 15^th in defensive rebounds per game (4.21).

In addition, Benson’s 53 points against West Virginia State was the most in the NCAA II this season and he scored 20 or more points 13 times during the season. His 35 points against Edinboro in the PSAC Semi Finals were the fifth most scored in a PSAC playoff game. Benson’s 535 points were the third most in a single season in school history.

After an illness to start the season, Collazo came on strong for the Mountaineers averaging 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds over 21 games. He also had three double-doubles.

Collazo ranked 7^th in the PSAC in field goal percentage (.556) hitting 116-of-206 attempts from the floor. In addition he was 10^th in the conference in blocked shots (96) and 12^th in offensive rebounds (2.27 pg).

The Mountaineers were the surprise team of the PSAC this season capturing the PSAC East crown winning 10 of 12 conference games – the best in the PSAC.

Mansfield finished the season with a 18-11 overall record and advanced to the PSAC Final Four.