Loesing And Baccas Named To Postseason All-MAC Teams

BUFFALO, NY - Freshman Mackenzie Loesing and sophomore Christa Baccas have both been honored by the Mid-American Conference, the league office announced Friday afternoon.  Both Loesing and Baccas were Honorable Mention selections, while Loesing was also one of five first-year players named to the league's All-Freshman team.

Loesing has had an outstanding rookie season for Buffalo as she has played in all 29 games, starting 22 of them.  She is averaging 11.3 points per game, including 13.8 in conference games, the second most by a freshman in the league.  Loesing started in all 16 MAC games and has gone six straight games reaching double figures in points.  She had a career-high 21 points earlier in the season against Eastern Illinois and then put up 20-point performances in conference games against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green.  She was named the MAC East Player of the Week following the opening of conference play.

The 11.3 points per game by Loesing are the most by a freshman at UB since Brandie Karhoff averaged 12.7 points per game in 1988-89.  Defensively, Loesing led the Bulls with 61 steals, which is seventh in the MAC.

"I am excited for Mackenzie to be honored with these accolades," said head coach Felisha Legette-Jack.  "She continued to grow through out the season and when you put your team first, like Mackenzie always does, these individual accomplishments come."

Baccas has also had a breakout season for the Bulls as she ranks in the top 10 in the league in field goal percentage, rebounding and blocked shots, where she leads the MAC.  Baccas is averaging 7.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game as she leads the Bulls in minutes played as well.  Her 70 blocks this season are 19 more than anyone else in the MAC and are tied for the second most in one season in school history.  Baccas reached double figures in rebounding 10 times this year, including a career-high 15 rebounds in a win over Oakland.  Her 47.4% field goal percentage leads the team.

"It is an honor for Christa to be recognized by our fellow coaches in the league for the work she has put in this season," said Legette-Jack.  "Christa is a special player in this conference and her best basketball is still ahead of her."

The Bulls begin Mid-American Conference Tournament play tomorrow afternoon when they host Northern Illinois at 2pm in the first round.