ERIE, Pa. - Gannon's
Damon Miraud (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) has been named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division Defensive Player of the Year announced Thursday afternoon by the league office. In addition, senior
Zay Jackson (Queens, N.Y./Westside) earned All-PSAC Western Division first-team accolades with Miraud landing a spot on the second team.
Miraud becomes the third Golden Knight to be named PSAC Western Division Defensive Player of the Year during the last five seasons. C.J. Oldham and A'Darius Porter received the award in 2014 and 2015. Miraud has excelled in a defensive role that typically guards the opposing team's top player, defending both guards and forwards. The senior leads a defensive unit that ranks No. 1 among PSAC teams and 10th among all NCAA Division II teams in scoring defense (64.6). He helped the Golden Knights rank second among PSAC teams in rebounding margin (9.0), third in offensive rebounds per game (13.07) and fifth in three-point field goal percentage defense (32.3).
The Elizabeth, N.J., native is part of a Gannon defense that ranks ninth nationally in rebounding margin, 21st in three-point field goal percentage defense and 26th in offensive rebounds per game. Miraud has recorded four double-doubles this season, including a performance with 10 points and 15 rebounds during Wednesday's 77-70 victory against Slippery Rock in the PSAC Quarterfinals. He has proven to be a versatile player with 9.3 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game and 0.6 blocks per game. Miraud ranks among the PSAC's top 15 in offensive rebounds per game, steals per game and total rebounds per game while shooting 57 percent (102-179) from the field.
Jackson earned all-conference accolades for the second consecutive season. The senior guard has averaged 15.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 three-pointers and one steal through 29 games. He is shooting 38.5 percent (67-174) from three-point range and 81.5 percent (106-130) from the free throw line.
The Queens, N.Y., native ranks 30th all-time at Gannon in scoring (937) and sixth in three-point field goals (161) despite playing only two seasons in a Golden Knight uniform. Jackson has led Gannon in scoring 17 times this season, reaching double digits 23 times and the 20-point plateau nine times. He has hit at least one three-pointer in 16 consecutive games.
Gannon (21-8) will be making its fourth PSAC Final Four appearance in five years this weekend at East Stroudsburg University after a 77-70 victory against Slippery Rock in Wednesday's quarterfinals. The squad battles Shippensburg during Saturday's semifinals at 1 p.m. The Raiders already own a 65-48 home victory against the Golden Knights on December 2, but that was their first victory in 10 games during the all-time series. Saturday's PSAC semifinal contest can be heard live on Jet Radio 1400 and via the 90.5 WERG online stream at
www.wergfm.com.
