Austin Ruder attempts a shot during a recent home game (photo via twitter @RudeBoy_2)

Austin Ruder attempts a shot during a recent home game (photo via twitter @RudeBoy_2)

Missouri State senior Jarmar Gulley  was named to the All-MVC second team, while freshman Austin Ruder of Nixa, Mo. earned a spot on the MVC All-Freshman Team.

With 17 double-figure scoring efforts in 18 Valley games, Gulley finished tied for second in the league in double-doubles (6) and ranked 8th in the Valley in scoring (14.9), 5th in rebounds (6.4) and 5th in steals (1.6).  He ended the regular season with a run of 16 straight double-figure scoring games and 32 consecutive starts.  He was named MVC Player of the Week on Jan. 13 and was also named to the Corpus Christi Challenge All-Tournament Team. He also accumulated 16.3 points and 7.1 boards in conference games.
Ruder has tallied 65 3-pointers so far in his rookie campaign, making him just the 8th freshman in league history to score 60 or more shots from beyond the arc. His 8.6 scoring average ranks third among all league freshmen and third on the MSU squad, while his 3-point total is also a Missouri State freshman record. He currently ranks 3rd in the Valley 3-pointers per game (2.2) and 6th in 3-point percentage (.417). Ruder has started 29-of-30 games this season and has scored 9.1 points per game in league contests.
Ruder and Gulley will help lead coach Paul Lusk’s squad into Arch Madness this week where the No. 4-seeded Bears (19-11) will match up with No. 5 seed Illinois State (16-14) in the quarterfinals in St. Louis at 2:35 p.m., Friday.  The winner will advance to Saturday’s 1:35 p.m., semifinal against either top-seeded Wichita State (31-0) or the winner of the 8/9 game between Drake and Evansville.