March 12, 2008

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Mid-American Conference announced its postseason awards for the 2007-08 basketball season Wednesday afternoon, and Ohio senior Leon Williams has been selected All-MAC First Team and junior Jerome Tillman has been named All-MAC Honorable Mention, as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.

Williams was joined on the first team by Kent State's Al Fisher, who narrowly edged Williams in the MAC Player of the Year race, Tim Pollitz of Miami, and Western Michigan's John Reitz and David Kool. Kent State's Haminn Quaintance was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Bowling Green's Brian Moten was selected Sixth Man of the Year in the conference.

Williams has put together an outstanding senior campaign, ranking third in the conference in points per game (16.2) and second in field goal percentage (.610). The Baltimore, Md., native also led the conference in rebounds per game (9.6), offensive rebounds per game (4.23) and defensive rebounds per game (5.40). Williams' 4.23 offensive boards per contest ranks fifth-best in all of Division I, while his .610 field goal percentage ranks in the top 20 in the nation. For his career, Williams is one of only three players to record over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds at Ohio, joining Gary Trent (1993-95) and Brandon Hunter (2000-03) as the only Bobcats to accomplish the feat.

Williams was named to the second team last year as a junior and was named honorable mention all-conference as both a freshman and sophomore. Williams is currently seventh all-time at Ohio in points (1,631), third in rebounds (1,047) and fourth in made free throws (468).

Tillman's honorable mention selection marks the second-consecutive season that he has earned All-MAC accolades. Last year as a sophomore, Tillman was named first-team all-conference. This year Tillman is 14th in the MAC in scoring (13.0 ppg), fifth in rebounds (7.3 rpg) and eighth in field goal percentage (.515). The Beavercreek, Ohio, native also led the team in minutes played with 31.8 per game and his 5.24 defensive rebounds per game were second best in the conference.

The Bobcats (19-11, 9-7 MAC) are in action Thursday in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament against the winner of fifth-seeded Miami (15-14 overall, 9-7 MAC) and 12th-seeded Buffalo. The game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. and will be televised on FSN Ohio.

All-MAC First Team
Al Fisher, Kent State
Tim Pollitz, Miami
Leon Williams, Ohio
Joe Reitz, Western Michigan
David Kool, Western Michigan

All-MAC Second Team
Jeremiah Wood, Akron
Giordan Watson, Central Michigan
Haminn Quaintance, Kent State
Mike Scott, Kent State
Michael Bramos, Miami

Honorable Mention
Nick Dials, Akron
Anthony Newell, Ball State
Peyton Stovall, Ball State
Jerome Tillman, Ohio
Nate Miller, Bowling Green
Andy Robinson, Buffalo
Carlos Medlock, Eastern Michigan
Chris Singletary, Kent State
Kenny Hayes, Miami
Tyrone Kent, Toledo

All-Freshman Team
Steve McNees, Akron
Melvin Goins, Ball State
Joe Jakubowski, Bowling Green
Jeremy Allen, Central Michigan
Darion Anderson, Northern Illinois