Feb. 27, 2012

EASTON, Pa. - Senior forward Ryan Willen was chosen as the 2011-12 Patriot League Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned one of five spots on the Academic All-Patriot League Team, announced by the League office on Monday. The awards are voted on by the Patriot League's men's basketball sports information directors.

A native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Willen has been named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team for the second consecutive season. He was also a member of the Capital One Academic All-District II Men's Basketball Team, for the second straight year, announced earlier this month.

In addition to Willen's selection, classmate Rob Delaney also claimed a spot on the Academic All-League Team. A Neuroscience major, Willen boasts a 3.43 GPA and earned a 3.77 GPA during the fall 2011 semester. Delaney's 3.47 overall GPA as a Government & Law major coupled with his 9.1 points per game in 2011-12 earned him the Academic All-League recognition.

Lafayette's leading scorer and rebounder, Willen becomes the third Lafayette student-athlete to win the Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, joining Mike Farrell '04 (2003-04) and Matt Betley '08 (2007-08).

Willen adds his Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor and Academic All-League choice to his First Team All-Patriot League selection.

Lafayette opens the 2012 Patriot League Tournament on Wednesday when it travels to Worcester, Mass. to take on Holy Cross at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on GoLeopards.com via Patriot League All Access.