Rau and Smith Adams Earn All-Conference Recognition

WINTHROP, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) has revealed its postseason awards, selected by the head men's basketball coaches. Following a historic season, senior forward Russell Rau (Westminster, Mass.) earned All-GNAC First Team honors, while teammate Dashon Smith Adams (New Haven, Conn.) was named to the GNAC Sportsmanship Team. The Pride Men's Basketball team was also awarded the Institutional Sportsmanship Award.

Russell Rau earned a spot on the All-GNAC First Team after ranking in the top five for both scoring and rebounding, averaging 20.6 points per game (3rd) and 8.8 rebounds per game (2nd). He recorded six games with 30 or more points, including a career-high 34 points in a January matchup against Mitchell College. Rau also made history at Regis College, becoming the program's all-time leading scorer (1,607) with his 30-point performance against Anna Maria, surpassing the previous record of 1,311 points. In addition, he set new single-season marks for both total points (514) and points per game (20.6).

Head Coach Nate Hager praised Rau's performance, saying, "Russell was a force this year. His 24.6 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game in conference play were tops in both categories and set a high bar for those following him wearing the crimson and gold. We are very proud of his play this year, but more impressed with his preparation that went into it over his four years." This honor marks Rau's third All-GNAC honor, with his first selection to the First Team.

Senior forward Dashon Smith Adams earned a spot on the All-GNAC Sportsmanship Team in his fourth season with the red and gold. Appearing in 24 games for the Pride, Smith-Adams scored a career-high 19 points off the bench, helping lead his team to an impressive 98-88 victory over Lasell on Senior Day, February 1st.