WALTHAM, Mass. – After excelling both on the court and in the classroom, Bentley University senior guard Keegan Hyland (South Portland, Maine/South Portland HS) has been selected for the 2015 Capital One NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Academic All-America® first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Hyland, named earlier in the day as a third-team All-Northeast-10 Conference selection, is Bentley's first men's basketball Academic All-America since Joe Betley garnered his third straight selection in 1980.

"This is obviously a great recognition for Keegan to be named a First Team Academic All America" said coach Jay Lawson. "He's a terrific basketball player and even better student who's one of the most motivated and driven student-athletes I have ever been associated with.   His determination to be successful in both areas of his college experience has also had a very positive impact on his teammates to take a similar approach.  We couldn't be happier for Keegan and look forward to his continued success on and off the floor next season."

Hyland, who has another year of eligibility remaining after being hampered by injuries throughout the first part of his career, gave the Falcons 19.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and a team-leading 3.6 assists per contest during his second year of game action in a Bentley uniform. That's a combination of numbers no NE-10 player has achieved in more than a decade and never accomplished by a Bentley player.

In addition to being fifth in the NE-10 in scoring, Hyland was also tenth in the conference in rebounds and three-pointers, and 11th in assists. He scored at least 20 nine times, had seven or more rebounds in each of the last ten games and amassed four double-doubles, including 19 points and 14 rebounds in a season-ending 85-84 loss to Franklin Pierce.      

Hyland, who did not see any game action during his first three years out of South Portland High, made his debut with the Falcons last year, averaging 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 20 games while primarily filling the sixth-man role.

Through five Bentley semesters, Hyland has amassed a 3.93 grade point average as an economics-finance major. He's made the President's List every semester and has put up a pair of 4.0's.

With Hyland's selection, Bentley has now had a total of 21 Academic All-America selections over the last five academic years. All-time, Bentley is tied for eighth among Division II institutions with 66 Academic All-America awards.

Hyland was joined on the first team by Trey Casey of Christian Brothers, Kyle Cooper of Hillsdale and a pair from Metropolitan State, Nicholas Kay and Mitch McCarron. Combined, the five first-team selections had a 3.88 GPA.

Complete Team