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Turner Battle

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo men's basketball team handed out its season-ending awards at the annual UB Athletic Awards Banquet on April 29 at Samuel's Grande Manor in Clarence.

Receiving awards from head coach Reggie Witherspoon and his staff were freshman B.J. Walker (Cincinnati, OH/Mount Healthy), sophomore Jason Bird (Ypsilanti, MI/Ypsilanti), freshman Steve McDonnell (Fairport, NY/Fairport) and sophomore Turner Battle (Kernersville, NC/East Forsyth).

Walker was named the team's Top Newcomer after an impressive freshman campaign. He finished the season as the Bulls' second leading rebounder (4.9 rpg) and fourth leading scorer (7.8 ppg). He appeared in all 28 games and got the starting nod in the final 13 games of the season. He became the first freshman in six seasons to record a double-double. He accomplished the feat twice.

Bird, the Bulls' starting shooting guard, was named the team's Most Improved Player. He was the Bulls' second leading scorer (8.7 ppg) and drained a team-best 42 three-pointers. He averaged 16 points per game over the final four games of the season and was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week on March 9.

B.J. Walker

McDonnell earned the Coach's Award for his hard work and dedication at practice. The freshman guard appeared in only one game, but made the most of his opportunity as he scored seven points, shooting 3-for-3 from the field, including a three-pointer in the Bulls' win over Chicago State.

Battle earned Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Bulls in scoring (12.7 ppg), assists (4.5) and steals (1.9). This season, the UB point guard earned All-MAC Honorable Mention honors and was the only player in the conference to be named to the All-MAC and Academic All-MAC teams. Last season the sophomore co-captain earned the team's Top Newcomer award and was selected to the MAC's All-Freshman team.

Men's basketball finished the season 5-23 overall and 2-16 in the MAC.