Westfield, Mass. — Graduate guard Sean Bryan of Salem State and junior forward Brendon Hamilton of Westfield State are the 2021-22 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player and Defensive Player of the Year and headline the All-Conference team which is voted on by the seven coaches around the conference.

 

Bryan, a graduate student from Lowell, Mass., has earned his second MASCAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year honor after being named in 2019 while leading the Vikings to a share of the MASCAC Regular Season title. Bryan led the conference this year in several categories, including points per game (20.8), total points (499), assists (139), steals (51) and free throw percentage (83.2). He also grabbed 167 rebounds (seven per game) while shooting 45 percent from the field. In the win over Westfield State, he poured in a season-best 37 points on 13-19 shooting with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Became the Vikings second all-time scorer this season with 1,849 points career points in Salem State uniform. 

 

Earning the first-ever MASCAC Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year accolade, Hamilton has etched his name into the Westfield State record books. He currently leads the country in rebounding (14.8) rebounds per game and has set a school record with 385 rebounds this season. He also averaged 15.2 points per game with a league-best 57 blocks and 53 assists to guide the Owls to a share of the MASCAC Regular Season crown. Hamilton netted 32 points and 22 rebounds in the win over William Paterson in November. 

 

Ryan Rubenskas of Worcester State is the 2021-22 MASCAC Rookie of the Year after averaging 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 50.4 percent from the field with 49 assists, 32 steals and 32 blocks to help the Lancers to the third seed in the MASCAC Tournament.

 

After leading the Owls to the MASCAC Regular Season title and a 10-2 conference record, Rich Sutter of Westfield State has been named the Champion’s Choice Coach of the Year as voted by his peers. 

 

Joining Bryan and Hamilton on the 2021-22 All-Conference First Team is Justin Rennis of Westfield State and Erik Bjorn and Chris Cardoso of Worcester State. 

 

On the Second Team are Quincy Taylor of Fitchburg State, Hayden Bird, Quentin Gittens and Noah Yearsley of MCLA and Conner Byrne of Salem State.