March 10, 2008

IRVINE, Calif. - The Big West Conference handed down its post-season honors on Monday, and Mark Payne has been named the Freshman of the Year. The UC Davis guard became just the third freshman in Big West history to receive the award in his team's first year as a competing member. Payne led the Aggies in rebounding, assists, steals and field goal percentage.

The redshirt freshman from Stockton led all Big West freshmen in virtually every category. He finished the year averaging 9.3 points per game, which was third on the team. He scored 10 or more points in 14 games while dishing out three or more assists 19 times. In addition, Payne posted three or more steals in nine games.

On March 1, Payne had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, all career-highs, in the Aggies' 83-77 victory over Sacramento State to give him just the third triple-double in UC Davis history. In the Aggies' finale on Saturday against UC Riverside, he tallied 15 points and did not commit a turnover in 38 minutes of action. He ended up leading UC Davis in minutes played with 33.4 per game.

"It's tremendous recognition for a most deserving student-athlete," said UC Davis head coach Gary Stewart. "Mark had an incredible year, and it's nice to see the other coaches felt the same way I did."

Compared to the rest of the Big West in all games, Payne finished the regular season first in steals per game (1.84), fifth in assists (3.2), 13th in rebounds (5.2), second in minutes, fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.18) and ninth in free throw percentage (.808). Payne shot .927 (51-for-55) from the line over the last 13 games of the season.

"I'm really happy for him," added Stewart. "We felt like he was going to have a very good year, and he exceeded all expectations. Mark is one of the reasons why we're so optimistic about the future."