Tyson, Dia Named NABC All-District

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball players Cade Tyson and Malik Dia have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division I All-District team, the organization announced Tuesday.
 
Tyson, named All-Missouri Valley Conference for a second consecutive season, averaged 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in leading Belmont to a 14^th consecutive 20-win season. The 6-7 guard/forward posted 25 double figure scoring games, including nine games of 20 or more points. Named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team, Tyson scored a career-high 31 points at Samford and made a game-clinching basket vs. Arkansas State Dec. 20. The Monroe, North Carolina native ranks among MVC leaders in 14 statistical categories, including Top 5 in 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goals made and free throw percentage.
 
Dia was named MVC All-Newcomer Team and Third Team All-MVC. He averaged 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game and posted a team-high 30 double figure scoring games, including 12 games of 20 or more points. Dia was named MVC Newcomer of the Week three times this season. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native posted a career-high 32 points, seven rebounds and three assists in Belmont's victory over Drake Jan. 7. Dia made the game-winning free throws in Belmont's victory over Georgia State Nov. 6 and a game-clinching 3-pointer at Penn Nov. 25. He ranks among MVC leaders in 10 statistical categories, including Top 6 in points, points per game, field goals, field goal percentage and free throw rate.
 
Tyson and Dia join the likes of Belmont NBA alumni Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler, Ian Clark and Evan Bradds to earn NABC All-District honors.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 14 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, Oregon) and 19 or game games in 19 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last five years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of existence