Nickel, Royston Collect All-WIAC Honorable Mention Status
UW-Oshkosh guards Cory Nickel (Jr. • Waupun) and Jade Royston (Jr. • Wisconsin Dells) received honorable mention recognition on the 2013 All-WIAC Men's Basketball Team.
Nickel averaged 14.3 points per game while leading the NCAA Division III with 91 three-pointers. He shot 39 percent (91-236) behind the arc and 81 percent (26-32) from the foul line. Nickel started 24 of the 25 games that he played in and totaled 76 rebounds, 32 assists and 19 steals.
There were eight games this season where Nickel drained at least five triples. He had two contests with 10 three-pointers, scoring 34 points in a 65-53 win over Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.) on Dec. 20 and counting 33 in a 76-73 overtime loss to UW-Superior on Feb. 2. Nickel also scored 27 points during a 69-52 win over UW-River Falls on Dec. 8.
Royston averaged 12.8 points per game while ranking fifth in the WIAC with 80 assists. He shot 79 percent (96-121) from the free throw line and compiled 71 rebounds and 29 steals. Royston's 96 free throws lead the WIAC. He was a starter in 24 of the 25 games.
Royston scored 20-plus points in six games this season. He marked a career-high 26 points during both a 64-54 overtime win over Edgewood College on Nov. 17 and an 80-77 overtime loss to UW-Superior on Jan. 3. Royston tallied 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 73-72 overtime victory over Loras College (Iowa) on Dec. 30.
The All-WIAC Team featured 10 players, including Chris Hortman, Erik Olson and Alex Oman of UW-Stout, Trevor Hass and Clayton Heuer of UW-Stevens Point, Jeff Heiden and Lucas Morrissey of UW-La Crosse, Chas Cross of UW-Platteville, Zach Peterson of UW-River Falls and Quardell Young of UW-Whitewater. Cross was named Player of the Year.
Bob Semling of regular-season champion UW-Stevens Point was chosen as the league's Coach of the Year.