2004-05 FERRIS MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS PRESENTED

Senior Guard Carlton Epps Named Team MVP For Great Lakes Regional Finalists

The Ferris State University men's basketball program celebrated a banner 2004-05 season Sunday (April 10) by holding its annual postseason awards banquet at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Big Rapids, Mich. The event was sponsored by the Rebounders Booster Club and the Rotary Club of Big Rapids with club president Steve Miller serving as master of ceremonies.

Ferris capped off its 2004-05 season with a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament (March 12-15) held in Findlay, Ohio. FSU reached the regional championship game for only the third time in school history this season. The Bulldogs also won their second-straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division Championship with a 13-5 league mark this campaign and compiled a school-best 15-1 overall home record at Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

Senior guard Carlton Epps (Benton Harbor) was honored as the squad's Most Valuable Player Award recipient. A two-time (2004-05) All-GLIAC North Division First Team honoree, Epps concluded his collegiate career ranked among the school's all-time leaders in scoring (1,544), rebounds (454), steals (270), assists (250), free throw percentage (.820), three-point field goal percentage (.426), made three-pointers (240) and blocked shots (53). In addition to posting school career records for three-pointers and steals, he also notched single-season marks with 102 treys, 95 steals and a .883 free throw percentage this season. He became only the sixth player in Bulldog history to score over 600 points in a campaign as he finished the year with 602 total points. The two-time (2003-04) GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team pick also attained Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region First Team kudos this campaign in addition to being named to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional All-Tournament Team and the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Great Lakes Region All-District First Team.

The squad’s Defensive Player Award was presented to senior guard Corey Epps (Benton Harbor). The twin brother of Carlton Epps, Corey had his best season in a Bulldog uniform this year as evidenced by his personal career-highs in scoring (309), field goals (112), rebounds (97), three-pointers (57), assists (82), steals (63) and blocked shots (11) in his final collegiate campaign. He finished his career with 876 points, 305 rebounds, 232 assists, 149 made three-pointers and 176 steals. Corey presently ranks fourth in school history in both career steals and three-point field goals made.

Senior forward Willie Burrel (Muskegon Heights) received the team’s Sixth Player Award. Burrel, who played two collegiate seasons at FSU after transferring from Muskegon Community College, scored 347 points and grabbed 141 rebounds as a senior. He played in 30 contests and averaged 11.6 points an outing. In his two seasons at Ferris State, Burrel totaled 511 points, 237 rebounds and 53 steals in 56 contests.

The Most Improved Player Award was given to junior guard Antwuan Holt (Okemos), who registered 220 points and dished out 87 assists in 30 appearances this campaign. The 6-3 Holt, who spent his initial two seasons of collegiate eligibility at GLIAC member Northern Michigan, posted nine double-figure scoring outings including each of the squad's final four games this season.

The Bulldogs also made a special presentation to each member of the squad's senior class, who received an official FSU varsity letter jacket. They included both Carlton and Corey Epps, Burrel along with guard/forward Michael Anderson (Farmington Hills/Royal Oak Shrine). Anderson netted 126 points, 51 rebounds and 33 assists in 50 career contests during his three-year Bulldog playing career. FSU also honored its three captains, which included both Carlton and Corey Epps along with junior guard Dennis Springs (Toledo, Ohio/Scott).

The Bulldogs, who concluded the year with a 24-7 overall record, fell one game shy of advancing to the NCAA-II Elite Eight for the second time ever. FSU's 24 victories this campaign under third-year head coach Bill Sall represented the third-most wins in school history. Ferris had not reached a regional championship game in 17 seasons prior to this year.