Gary Cooper Named Men’s Basketball All-Conference

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its men’s basketball awards Tuesday and Gustavus received one All-Conference performer and two Honorable Mentions. Gary Cooper (Sr., Detroit, Mich.) was named to the All-Conference Team, while Chris Narum (Sr., Eagan, Minn.) and Brody Ziegler (Sr., Mankato, Minn.) are Honorable Mention.

The league recognizes Cooper for the second straight year after earning Honorable Mention last season. This year, Cooper played in 16 games and started 13, while missing seven weeks due to injury. The Detroit, Mich. native averaged a team-high 16.1 points per game (285 total) and led the team with 3.5 assists per game (56 total). He averaged 28.2 minutes per game and shot 48.6 percent (101-208) from the floor, which was the highest among wings on the team. Cooper made 9-of-35 three-pointers and was a 79.7 percent (47-59) shooter from the charity stripe. He also recorded seven blocks and 16 steals. Cooper’s career-high 39 points against Concordia on Feb. 6 were the most scored by a Gustie since Seth Anderson’s program record 45 points against Buena Vista on Nov. 15, 2011. The 39-point mark was also the most in a MIAC game by a Gustie since D.L. Smith scored 41 against Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 1, 1957.

Narum is recognized by the MIAC for the first time after his senior campaign. The Eagan, Minn. native averaged a team-high 29.6 minutes per game and played in all 25 games. Narum made the most threes on the team, going 58-125 from long range. His 46.3 three-point percentage ranks third in the league. He also led the team with 71 assists and 28 steals. The senior guard shot 44.4 percent (79-178) from the floor and 83.1 percent (49-59) from the free throw line. Narum’s average of 10.6 points per game (265) was third most on the team.

Ziegler is recognized by the conference for the third time after being named All-Conference after the 2013-14 season and Honorable Mention last year. Ziegler played in all 25 games, averaged 25.5 minutes, and 11.4 points per game. His 285 total points are most on the team. Ziegler posted the highest field goal percentage (63.6) in the conference and made the most shots for Gustavus, going 126-for-198 from the floor. The Mankato, Minn. native did not attempt a three-pointer all season and went 33-for-68 (48.5 percent) from the free throw line. Ziegler led the Gusties on the glass with 131 rebounds and averaged 5.2 per game. He also tallied 22 assists, 21 steals and 12 blocks.

Brian Jacobs (Sr., Lake Crystal, Minn.) was also recognized by the league as he was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. Jordan Bolger of Concordia was named the Joe Hutton Player-of-the-Year, Tianen Chen of Carleton was named the Sixth Man-of-the-Year, and John Tauer of St. Thomas was named Coach-of-the-Year.

MIAC Release