KINGSPORT, Twnn. — The St. Andrews University men’s basketball team, led by head coach Randy Hernandez, is coming off their most successful season since 2011 winning 12 games and advancing to the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament in Kingsport, Tenn. before falling to the NAIA’s No. 1 team in Union College (KY) 84-66.

The Knights finished 12-17 this season — it is the most wins for St. Andrews since joining the NAIA in 2012 and the most wins overall since the 2010-11 season. The Knights finished the year by winning five out of their last seven games and advancing to the AAC quarterfinals for only the second time in team history. St. Andrews was 9-of-11 in the conference regular season and 10-12 counting the tournament games, the most conference wins in seven years.

St. Andrews was led by redshirt freshman forward Connor Zinaich, who averaged 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game — top three in the AAC in both categories. Zinaich also ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game and first in the AAC. For his efforts, Zinaich was named the AAC Freshman of the Year and was named first team all-conference with 41 assists, 25 steals, 16 blocks, and 13 three-pointers.

Senior all-conference second-team guard Lee Vanderhorst was the second-leading scorer for St. Andrews averaging 16.2 points to finish fourth in the AAC. Senior AAC second-team guard Titus Gary helped the Knights be one of the best three-point shooting teams in the conference shooting 35 percent form beyond the arc.

Gary finished his career with 1,260 points and is the Knights all-time leader with 240 three-pointers. Gary averaged 13.8 points per game with 71 three-pointers to rank sixth in the AAC.

Sophomore guard Bryan Brache was named to the Champions of Character team and injured senior forward Alex Tharp was earned academic all-conference honors with his 3.48 GPA.

SAU Athletics The St. Andrews University men’s basketball team, led by head coach Randy Hernandez, is coming off their most successful season since 2011 winning 12 games and advancing to the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament in Kingsport, Tenn.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Basketball.jpgSAU Athletics The St. Andrews University men’s basketball team, led by head coach Randy Hernandez, is coming off their most successful season since 2011 winning 12 games and advancing to the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament in Kingsport, Tenn.

By Troy Baranik

SAU Sports Information Director