Jan. 2, 2007

The University of Texas-Pan American men's basketball team swept through the weekly Independent selections as Brian Burrell (Nacogdoches, TX/Paris J.C.) and Paul Stoll (Lansing, MI/Lansing C.C.) were each honored for their efforts at the UCF Holiday Classic in Orlando, FL.

Burrell was honored as the Independent Player of the Week after he nearly averaged a double-double (points-rebounds) at the UCF Holiday Classic. The UTPA junior averaged 25.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50.0 percent (19-of-38) from the field and 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from behind the three-point arc. A UCF Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team selection, Burrell led the tournament in scoring average en route to helping the Broncs finish second overall.

The UTPA junior scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including five three-pointers, to go along with nine rebounds and two steals in the championship game against the University of Central Florida. The previous game, Burrell scored 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting while posting nine rebounds, three steals and two assists in a 70-57 victory over James Madison.

This season, Burrell has scored 10 or more points in 13 of 14 games and 20 or more points in six of those contests. He is currently leading all NCAA Division I Independent players in scoring average (18.1), three-point field goals made (42), three-point field goal attempts (105) and steals per game (2.0) and second in field goals made (94).

Stoll was the quarterback for the UTPA offense at the UCF Holiday Classic where the UTPA junior averaged 8.5 points, 6.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Broncs. The Bronc newcomer finished with 10 points, six assists, three steals and three rebounds in UTPA's victory over James Madison then recorded seven points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds in the championship game against the University of Central Florida.

This is the second time during the 2006-07 campaign that Stoll has been selected as the Independent Newcomer of the Week as he captured the award on December 12th, 2006. The UTPA junior is ranked first among all NCAA Division I Independent players in assists per game (5.7) and third in steals per game (1.9).

The weekly Independent awards are voted on by Sports Information Directors at NCAA Division I Independent institutions.

UTPA Sports Information