The Lions, for the first time since the conference became the Appalachian Athletic Conference in 2000, are Regular Season Conference Champions. They are one of the teams in the AAC to finish the regular season with an 11-5 conference record in a four-way tie for first. The Lions also finish the regular season receiving votes in the final 2009-10 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
The Lions won this year primarily due to their defense. As a team, they were ranked #2 in the NAIA in scoring defense (60.602), #1 in the NCCAA. Bryan was ranked #7 in field goal percentage defense in the NAIA (.388), #2 in the NCCAA. They were also #7 in the NAIA in rebound margin averaging 8.111 rebounds per game than their opponents. In 17 different games this season the Lions held their opponent to 40% or below shooting from the floor.
The Lions' offense has come from pounding the ball inside primarily to Scott Newton, Keith Bauer, and Astral Guerrier. The three of them combine for an average of 39.39 of the teams 70.78 points per game. They have also accounted for 18 double-doubles this season. The back court is led by point guard Demond Craig and Xavierian McCall. McCall is averaging 11.52 points per game and Craig is leading the team in assists.
The Lions won 10 of their 11 conference wins by 10 points or more. In the conference, the Lions were ranked #1 in scoring defense per game, field goal percentage defense, and total rebounds per game. They were #2 in field goal percentage offense. The Lions averaged 68.4 points per game against conference opponents, while their opponents averaged just 58.8 points. This was the largest difference of all the AAC teams.
The Lions' quest for a tournament championship and NAIA national tournament bid will begin on Wednesday. They will host Reinhardt College on Wednesday night at 7:30pm ET.
