Knight, Laffoon Collect All-HCAC Honors

Anderson University men's basketball standout Maurice Knight was tabbed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Defensive Player of the Year, which was announced by the conference on Wednesday.

Knight garnered first-team all-HCAC honors while Malik Laffoon received all-HCAC Honorable Mention.

Among HCAC leaders, Knight ranked first in points per game (19.1), first in blocks per game (1.6) and fourth in rebounds per game (7.0). The 6-foot-4 junior wing from Frankton broke the Anderson Division III era school record with 42 blocks this season. Knight has received three HCAC Player-of-the-Week selections this season. He was also named to the D3Hoops.com Team of the Week this season.

During the conference season, Knight paced the conference with averages of 19.0 points and 1.7 blocks. Knight also finished fourth in the HCAC with 7.4 rebounds per game during the conference season. Last season, Knight was selected to the All-HCAC Second Team.

"Maurice is a tireless worker and has made huge leaps in his game in each of his offseasons," Coach Owen Handy said. "He possesses a very unique combination of size, strength, and skill. He is a fierce competitor, and has defended every position on the floor this season, with some absolutely dominating defensive performances against talented offensive players."

Laffoon contributed 15.1 points per game and 0.8 blocks per game. Among HCAC leaders, Laffoon ranked first in free-throws made (122), first in free-throw attempts (158), fifth in free-throw percentage (.819) and seventh in points per game. The 6-foot-2 senior guard from Bloomington also ranks 45th in the nation in free-throws made. Laffoon has drained 134-of-268 (50 percent) shots from the field and 18-of-33 (54.5 percent) attempts from 3-point range.

During the conference season, Laffoon put together averages of 15.1 points and 1.0 block. Laffoon also knocked down 86-of-180 (47.8 percent) attempts from the floor and 12-of-23 (52.2 percent) shots from the perimeter.

"Malik had a terrific season, finishing seventh in the conference in scoring, while shooting 48 percent from the floor, 52 percent from 3-point range, and leading the conference in free throws attempted and free throws made. He was terrific all season managing our team and has been an incredibly dependable player for his four seasons here."

The Ravens closed out the season with a 14-13 overall record and a 10-8 HCAC record. Anderson made its fourth consecutive appearance in the HCAC Tournament and advanced to the HCAC semifinals.