Yard, Lofton Named to All-MASCAC Men's Basketball Team

2012-2013 MASCAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team (PDF)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. –Bridgewater State University senior guard Shawn Yard and sophomore forward Michael Lofton have been selected to the 2012-2013 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team.

Yard and Lofton, who were both second team selections, are making their first appearance on the All-MASCAC Team.

In 25 games this season, all starts, Yard averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.9 steals while shooting 73.5% (86-117) from the free throw line.  The Brockton, Massachusetts native currently leads the MASCAC in assists and ranks second in steals, third in assist to turnover ratio (1.4), and tenth in  both scoring and free throw shooting.  Yard is also in the top twenty in all of Division III in both assists and steals.

In 88 games over four seasons with the Bears, Yard amassed 720 points, 201 rebounds, 369 assists and 188 steals.  He is also a career 70.2% (181-258) shooter at the free throw line.

Like Yard, Lofton started all 25 games this season for the Bears in 2012-2013 and recorded an impressive 12 double-doubles.  He averaged 14.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.4 blocked shots while shooting 61.1% (138-226) from the floor and 77.2% (95-123) at the free throw line.

A native of Mansfield, Massachusetts, Lofton leads the MASCAC in field goal percentage and ranks third in steals and blocks.  He is also tied for third in the conference in rebounding and is fifth in scoring and sixth in free throw shooting.  Lofton also ranks in the top twenty in all of Division III in both field goal percentage and steals.

In 53 games over his first two seasons with the Bears, Lofton has accumulated 566 points, 397 rebounds, 78 blocks and 96 steals.  He is also a career 62.3% (220-353) shooter from the floor.  Lofton is presently well above Derek Thompson (2003-07) all-time BSU field goal percentage mark of 58.8% (318-541).

The BSU men’s basketball team completed the 2012-2013 season with an overall record of 11-14 including a 5-7 mark in the MASCAC.  Seeded fourth in the conference tournament, the Bears dropped a 63-60 decision to fifth-seeded Fitchburg State University in the quarterfinal round.