Justin Keenan Tabbed GLIAC Player of the Week

Big Rapids, Mich. - For the first time this season, a Ferris State University men's basketball player has claimed the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division Player of the Week honor as junior forward/center Justin Keenan was chosen today (Jan. 18) to receive teh award as announced by the league office.

The 6-6 Keenan averaged 22.3 points and six rebounds per contest as the Bulldogs compiled a 2-1 road mark in three outings last week. A consensus NCAA Division II Preseason All-America honoree this campaign, Keenan netted 67 points, 18 rebounds, five steals and three assists in the stretch while shooting 60% (24-40) from the floor and sinking 19-of-27 (70%) free throws.

Keenan scored 20 points or more in two of the three games, including a game-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting in FSU's 80-69 league road triumph at Ashland on Saturday (Jan. 16). He also had a game-high 23 points with six rebounds while connecting on seven-of-11 field goals and making all nine free throw attempts in Ferris' 80-68 league road loss at rival Grand Valley State last Monday (Jan. 11). Finally, Keenan posted 18 points and seven boards in the Bulldogs' dominating 85-66 conference road victory Thursday (Jan. 14) at Tiffin.

This week's selection represents the third time in his career Keenan's received the GLIAC weekly award.

Presently this year, Keenan ranks third in the league in field goal percentage (.558), fourth in scoring (18.5 ppg.) and ninth in rebounding (9.1 rpg.) to date.  Keenan has reached double-figure scoring in 14 of 15 games this season along with 63 of 67 career outings. The 2009-10 Preseson All-GLIAC selection has tallied 10 points or more in 42 of his last 44 contests.

Keenan led the GLIAC in scoring (20.2 ppg.) while ranking second in offensive rebounds
(3.4 rpg.), fourth in rebounding (7.3 rpg.) and fourth in field goal percentage (.546) in 2008-09. He also made and attempted more free throws (180-237) than any other player in the league last season for the second-straight year. Keenan reached double-figure scoring in 24 of his 25 games and totaled 20 points or more in 14 outings a year ago, including a career-high 33 points versus Olivet (Nov. 25), en route to earning team MVP honors for the second-straight year.

In 67 career contests to date, Keenan has recorded 1,262 points and 483 rebounds while starting 67 of 70 career games. His 441 made free throws (441-595) currently ranks sixth on the school's career leaders list.

This year, Keenan was named a NCAA Division II Preseason All-America selection by three
different sources, including being tabbed to the Division II Bulletin “Super 16” Preseason squad. He also claimed acclaim from both The Sporting News and Basketball Times. Keenan was honored last season as a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II All-Midwest District Second Team pick along with a Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team and All-GLIAC North Division First Team selection. He became the 26th player in school history to notch his 1,000th career point in this year's season opener at Lewis (Nov. 15).

The Bulldog men's basketball team wraps up a five-game league road swing with two contests away from Wink Arena this week.  FSU visits Wayne State on Thursday (Jan. 21) for a 7:30 p.m. (EST) tilt in Detroit before facing Northwood on Saturday (Jan. 23) at 6 p.m. (EST) in Midland.

Both of this week's games can be heard live locally on WBRN 1460 AM & 107.7 FM or online at www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com.  A live audio/video pay-per-view webcast will also be provided by B2 Networks for both games along with live internet statistics.