Prior receives Division III ECAC Upstate Men’s Basketball All-Star honors
By Brandy Thurston, Director of Sports Information
(Morrisville, NY – April 21, 2014) The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its 2013-14 Division III Upstate men’s basketball All-Star teams, naming Morrisville State College senior guard Jordan Prior (Cortland, N.Y.) to its second team.
Prior wrapped up a stellar final season for the Mustangs by leading Morrisville State to its third straight North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Championship Tournament title and appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, including back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16, and a first ever appearance in the Elite Eight this season.
In 31 games with the Mustangs he recorded 520 points, an average of 16.8 points per game, hitting 152-of-335 shots (45.4%) from the floor, including 81-of-182 attempts from beyond the arc (44.5%), while converting 135-of-169 attempts from the free throw line (79.9%).
Prior added 123 total rebounds to his tallies, dished out 86 assists and collected 28 steals.
A first team All-Conference selection at guard, Prior guided the Mustangs back to the NEAC title game for a third time, tying a collegiate high 26 points in the semi-final round against Abington. His effort throughout the conference tournament garnered him Most Valuable Tournament Player honors as selected by tournament officials.
Known for his ability from long range and collectiveness on the free throw line, Prior wrapped up his collegiate career moving through the ranks of the Mustang record books. His 81 3-pointers on the season ranks second, along with his 135 free throws.
He also became the seventh Mustang in history to register more than 500 points in a single season (520).
Prior joined the Morrisville State program after a two-year stint with Onondaga Community College, and in the two seasons with the Mustangs, recorded 779 points to rank fifth all-time in scoring leaders, and second all-time in 3-point field goals (127).
The final national rankings had Prior sitting at 16th overall in field goal percentage from beyond the arc (44.5%), and 21stamong all of Division III in 3-point field goals made (81).
He finished the season ranked in the top 10 in seven NEAC statistical categories, including first in 3-pointers made (81) and free throws made (135). He ranked second in points scored (52) and total minutes played (1014), while finishing fourth in free throw percentage (79.9), fifth in scoring (16.8 points per game) and eighth in assists (86).
The senior joins an elite list of Mustangs to earn recognition through the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), D3hoops.com, and now the ECAC with post-season accolades.
Prior is a graduate of Cortland High and is majoring in resort and recreation management at Morrisville State. He is the son of Prudy and Eric Prior of Cortland.
Wood earns women’s lacrosse weekly honor from NEAC
(Morrisville, NY – April 15, 2014) The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) has announced its student-athlete of the week selections, naming Morrisville State College junior midfielder, Shelby Wood (Duanesburg, N.Y.) the women’s lacrosse offensive player of the week for the week ending April 13.
Wood compiled 19 points on 16 goals and three assists across three games, leading Morrisville State to a 2-1 week. She also registered 26 draw controls, 11 ground balls, and six caused turnovers.
The two wins came in conference action, where Wood posted a high eight goals, an assist, seven ground balls, six draw controls and five caused turnovers in a 23-5 onslaught of the College of St. Elizabeth. She followed that performance with five more goals and two assists in a 18-8 win over Penn St. Abington on Sunday. Earlier in the week, Wood posted three goals and collected a high 11 draw controls in a shoot out with visiting Potsdam State.
The junior currently ranks first in the NEAC in goals (47) and is second in both points (53) and draw controls (60).
The graduate of Holy Names Academy is majoring in journalism and communication for online media at Morrisville State, and is the daughter of Michelle and David Wood of Duanesburg.