University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Bowen Born selected to MVC All-Bench Team
3/2/2022 10:15:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ST. LOUIS --- The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) announced the members of the 2021-22 All-Bench and Most Improved Teams on Wednesday morning. UNI's Bowen Born was selected as one of five members of the league's All-Bench Team, adding to his honors list from a stellar second season. Team members were voted on by the league's newspaper beat writers.
Other student-athletes on the All-Bench Team include Sheldon Edwards (Valparaiso), Jaylen Minnett (Missouri State), Ryan Schwieger (Loyola) and Xavier Bledson (Indiana State). Illinois State's Antonio Reeves was voted captain of the league's Most Improved Team, with Rienk Mast (Bradley), Cooper Neese (Indiana State), Sheldon Edwards (Valparaiso) and Garrett Sturtz (Drake) also making the team.
Born, who was named the MVC's Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday, and was honored as the league's Freshman of the Year last season, scored 7.6 points per game playing in 26 games this year, primarily off the bench. The Norwalk, Iowa native recorded a season-high 20 points and career-high 6 free throws to help the Panthers clinch the MVC's regular season title against Loyola-Chicago in the final game of the season, highlighted by a critical three-point shot in the closing minute of overtime.
Born is the tenth Panther all-time to be selected to the MVC's All-Bench Team, and fifth to be named to the team while also earning Sixth Man of the Year honors. Previous UNI players to be selected to the team and earn the award include Lucas O'Rear (2009-2010), Wes Washpun (2015) and Spencer Haldeman (2019).
Born and the entire UNI men's basketball team will return to action on Friday, March 4 as the Panthers open up play at the MVC Tournament in St. Louis at 12 p.m. CT. The top-seeded Panthers will face the winner of Thursday night's opening round matchup between Illinois State and Indiana State at the Enterprise Center.
Other student-athletes on the All-Bench Team include Sheldon Edwards (Valparaiso), Jaylen Minnett (Missouri State), Ryan Schwieger (Loyola) and Xavier Bledson (Indiana State). Illinois State's Antonio Reeves was voted captain of the league's Most Improved Team, with Rienk Mast (Bradley), Cooper Neese (Indiana State), Sheldon Edwards (Valparaiso) and Garrett Sturtz (Drake) also making the team.
Born, who was named the MVC's Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday, and was honored as the league's Freshman of the Year last season, scored 7.6 points per game playing in 26 games this year, primarily off the bench. The Norwalk, Iowa native recorded a season-high 20 points and career-high 6 free throws to help the Panthers clinch the MVC's regular season title against Loyola-Chicago in the final game of the season, highlighted by a critical three-point shot in the closing minute of overtime.
Born is the tenth Panther all-time to be selected to the MVC's All-Bench Team, and fifth to be named to the team while also earning Sixth Man of the Year honors. Previous UNI players to be selected to the team and earn the award include Lucas O'Rear (2009-2010), Wes Washpun (2015) and Spencer Haldeman (2019).
Born and the entire UNI men's basketball team will return to action on Friday, March 4 as the Panthers open up play at the MVC Tournament in St. Louis at 12 p.m. CT. The top-seeded Panthers will face the winner of Thursday night's opening round matchup between Illinois State and Indiana State at the Enterprise Center.
Players Mentioned
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