Ritchie and Stelzer Gain Spots on BCAM Honor Team

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech basketball players Jillian Ritchie (De Pere, Wis.) and Ben Stelzer (Manintowoc, Wis.) both earned Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) College Academic-Athletic Honor Team honors it was announced Thursday. Tech's two athletes were among only 10 (five women and five men) selected from the entire state.

Each BCAM Honor Team pays tribute to five outstanding scholar-athletes from Michigan colleges and universities at the NCAA I, NCAA II, NCAA III, and NAIA levels. To be eligible, players have to be either a starter or an important reserve, must have reached sophomore standing, have participated in at least 50% of the team's games,and have at least a 3.0 grade point average. The BCAM teams are selected on the basis of academic achievement, athletic accomplishments, grade point average and their coach's BCAM membership.

Ritchie was an All-GLIAC First Team pick who averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game during her senior season. The team co-captain posted a team-best 51.3 field goal percentage with four 20+ point games on the year including a 35-point effort at Northwood (Feb. 19). The 5-11 forward was named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week three times during the regular season. She later gained GLIAC Tournament MVP accolades while helping Tech to a GLIAC Championship and eventual 28-3 record.

Stelzer received All-America honors from both the NABC and Daktronics and was named Capital One Academic All-America Second Team, Daktronics Midwest Player of the Year, GLIAC Player of the Year and All-GLIAC First Team in 2014-15. The senior guard led all players in the Midwest Region in scoring (22.1 points per game) and ranked second in the nation in 3-point field goals made per game (3.96). He was also among the national leaders in scoring and 3-point percentage (45.7). Stelzer owns a cumulative grade point average of 3.69 in finance.

2014-15 BCAM Academic-Athletic Honor Teams
Women
Nicole Elmblad, Michigan • Sr • St. Ignace, Mich. • 3.92, Biopsychology
Marua McAfee, Hope • Jr • Midland, Mich. • 3.80, Physical Therapy
Jillian Ritchie, Michigan Tech • Sr • De Pere, Wis. • 3.74, Scientific and Technical Communication
Kerby Tamm, Central Michigan • Sr • Petoskey, Mich. • 3.63, Exercise Science
Breanna Verkaik, Calvin • Sr • Holland, Mich. • 3.55, Nursing

Men
Jordan Brink, Calvin • Sr • Dyer, Ind. • 3.85, Business and Sport Management
Cameron Cramer, Grace Bible • Sr •Ida, Mich. • 3.80, Business Administration
Corey Petros, Oakland • Sr • Macomb, Mich. • 3.43, MBA
Ryan Sabin, Grand Valley State • Sr • Byron Center, Mich. • 3.58, Economics and Finance
Ben Stelzer, Michigan Tech • Sr • Manitowoc, Wis. • 3.69, Finanace