Four Bobcats Receive All-American Honors From USCAA

UNIONTOWN, PA -- On Wednesday, March 6th, the USCAA held their annual championship brunch banquet at Seven Springs Mountain Resort to honor men's and women's academic and athletic USCAA All-Americans in division I college basketball for the 2018-2019 season. Among the many student athletes who compete across the nation each year, four Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Bobcats took home All-American honors.

The first of the USCAA All-Americans mentioned were in the classroom. Heading this group of amazing young men was point guard Mike Davis, who not only did a fantastic job running the offense and controlling the tempo on the hardwood, but crushed it in the classroom. Davis finished with a 3.5 GPA and Dean's List honors, and for this reason, his performance stood out to the USCAA selection board. At 5'8" and 160 lbs, Davis scored 4.2 points per game and shot 29.5% from the three point line. With 18 steals and nearly 40 assists on the year, Davis found ways to contribute to his team's success by passing the ball and working tirelessly on the defensive end.

Next up was none other than Taijay Williams, another sharp-shooting guard who played both the point guard and shooting guard position this season. Williams has had the hot hand of late with big performances against Bryant & Stratton College - Albany and Villa Maria College in the conference championship. At 8.1 points per game, Williams became a third scorer for the Bobcats off the bench and helped balance the perimeter play of Mike Davis and Kevin Ford who took on the roles of unselfish, yet productive facilitators for the success of the team. Burning the nets from beyond the three point arch, Williams shot 36.6 % and dished out 2 assists per game. But, it wasn't just his blood, sweat, and tears or sharp shooting that got him recognized nationally by the USCAA. It was his performance in the classroom. He had a 3.9 GPA and also made the Dean's List.

Finishing our list of USCAA Academic All-Americans is the Bobcat's only senior, Nicc Johnson. As if enough hasn't been said about Johnson on the court, off the court, he was just as focused. Early in the season, Johnson was one of many players on his team who helped the Salvation Army feed the homeless, and in the classroom, he kept a 3.5 GPA and made the Dean's List. As a student athlete, he led by example, modeling for his younger, less experienced team members, not only what it means to give it your all on the court, but to match that drive and determination in the classroom.

USCAA Academic All Americans

The second half of the annual USCAA Championship Brunch Banquet was dedicated to performance and maintaining a high level of play throughout the 2018-2019 season; these players are recognized nationally as your divison I men's basketball all-americans. Because these honors are nationally awarded and there are so many players to select from, there are first team and second team honors.

The Bobcats had a player on both the first and second team.

Taking USCAA Second Team All-American honors was Tyrell Mitchell. In just his second collegiate season, Tyrell Mitchell established himself as a slashing, multi-talented 6’3” 212lb guard, averaging 19.2 points per game and shooting 53.2% from the field. This year, Mitchell got out in the open court to play above the rim, but additionally, played well in the front court, proving he could do both, take his man off the dribble and play with his back to the basket. On the season, he averaged 5.3 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. On the defensive end, he applied pressure on his man but also stepped into the passing lane, collecting 40+ steals on the year.

On several occasions Mitchell led the Bryant & Stratton College – Buffalo Bobcats in scoring, and he did so with flare, but more importantly, when his team needed him most. He recorded a double-double against Sheridan College scoring 26 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. Against #1 ranked USCAA men’s division II powerhouse, Villa Maria College, Mitchell padded the stat sheet with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, but also led his team to the upset win. Against a disciplined and well-coached #6 ranked NAIA basketball team, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, he finished with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. 

Lastly, taking USCAA First All-American honors was Bobcat senior, Nicc Johnson. Johnson spent the last four years scoring more than 1,000 points in his career as a collegiate athlete. In his last year on the hardwood with the Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Bobcats, he tied Mitchell for second place in scoring in the USCAA, averaging 19 points per game and 8 rebounds.

Johnson shot 42.3% from the field and 35% from three-point range on the season, while additionally dishing out 50+ assists and contributing 30+ steals on the defensive end. Among his 9 double-doubles in the 2018-19 season, some of his stand-out performances included 31 points and 11 rebounds versus the University of Maine at Fort Kent, 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists versus Green Mountain College, and 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists versus Sheridan College.  

USCAA Athletic All Americans

Today, the Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Bobcats are back in action in Uniontown, PA to take on Clinton College at noon. You can support the Bobcats by watching the live stream via the USCAA Championship website: http://basketball.theuscaa.com/2019_Championships/Watch_Live_Page

FOLLOW THE BOBCATS

Follow the Bobcats online at Buffalo.bscbobcats.com and on instagram @bscbobcatsbuf and twitter @BSCbobcatsBUF hashtag #BSCBOBCATNATION and #BSCBUFFHOOPS. Look for us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BSCBobcatsBUF/