COLLEEN FEENEY NAMED JOSTENS TROPHY FINALIST

BRIDGEWATER, MA, Feb. 26, 2008 - Bridgewater State College senior center Colleen Feeney has been named as a finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy.  The finalists were announced on Tuesday by members of the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia.

The Rotary Club, which is responsible for the initial review of annual nominations, narrowed the pool to ten men and ten women finalists.  The list will be forwarded to the 32-person national selection committee, which will complete the selection process by picking the two Jostens Trophy winners.

In 24 games this season, Feeney is averaging 20.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.9 blocked shots per game, while shooting 56% from the floor and 74% at the free throw line.  She currently leads the MASCAC in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocked shots, while ranking second in free throw percentage.  Feeney is also sixth in all of Division III in rebounding, 11th in scoring, 12th in blocked shots and 19th overall in field goal percentage.

Feeney, who set the Bears single-season scoring record, is also closing in on the BSC women's basketball single-season records for rebounds (331 by Cathy Baker in 1984-85), made free throws (155 by Laurie Berryman in 1995-96), made field goals (1994 by Samantha Curry in 2005-06), and blocked shots (79 by Mary Cawley in 1987-88).  Heading into the MASCAC Tournament, she currently has 496 points, 312 boards, 142 free throws, 177 field goals and 70 blocked shots on the season.

Bridgewater State enters this week's MASCAC Tournament with a record of 20-4 and an 11-1 mark in conference play.  The Bears, who are the top seed in the tournament, will have a first round bye and will host the semifinals and championship game on Friday and Saturday.  BSC will take on fifth seeded Westfield State in their semifinal match-up on Friday night at 6 PM.

The Jostens Trophy honors the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year, considering basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. This year's class marks the 11th year the award has been presented. The 2007 winners were Ryan Cain of WPI and Lisa Winkle of Calvin.