IRVINE, Calif. – A trio of Concordia men's basketball players was honored Wednesday by the PacWest Conference as the league announced its regular season awards on the eve of the conference tournament.

Brian Chambers was named to the First Team All-Conference Team after a stellar senior campaign. The Long Beach, Calif. native led both the Eagles and the entire PacWest conference with 5.2 assists per game and 2.7 steals per contest while also finishing third in the league in scoring (17.8 ppg).  In addition to leading the league with 85 steals, Chambers also led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding (4.8 rpg).  He racked up a school-record 17 assists in a win over Hawai'i Hilo and shot an impressive 90 percent from the free throw line. This marked the third time Chambers earned a spot on a PacWest All-Conference squad.

Forward Kayle Knuckles was named PacWest Freshman of the Year.  The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native becomes the first Concordia men's basketball player to earn this honor since the program started competing as a member of the PacWest Conference. Knuckles started 30 of CUI's 31 contests in his first season on the court and averaged 8.7 points per game as well as 4.0 rebounds per outing. The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native also shot 41 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three-point range while routinely guarding the opposing team's top forward. One of his best games of the season came when he knocked down six treys in the first half in a 75-55 victory over San Francisco State. Knuckles was also named PacWest Freshman of the Week four times, including this past Monday after the regular season finale.

Senior Geoff Gerlach earned All-Conference Honorable Mention after averaging 8.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg.  The Sydney, Australia native also shot a team-best 66 percent from the floor as he made his presence felt in the paint. Gerlach started all but five games this season also helped the Eagles defend the nest as they finished 12-1 at home and 11-0 at CU Arena against PacWest foes.

The CUI men's basketball team finished the regular season 22-9 overall and 18-4 in conference play.  The Eagles earned the second seed and a first-round bye in the 2019 PacWest Conference Tournament which is being hosted by Dominican University. CUI will face Chaminade on Friday, March 8 at 12:30 p.m. up in San Rafael, Calif. in the semifinal round  The Green and Gold split the season series with the Silverswords with the home team winning both times.

For the full men's basketball bracket and how to get tickets for the PacWest Conference Championships, click here.