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Ernest Turner Named to America East Second Team
March 1, 2006 BINGHAMTON N.Y.-- University of Maine men's basketball players Ernest Turner (Camden, N.J.), Philippe Tchekane Bofia (Yaounde, Cameroon) and Olli Ahvenniemi (Vaasa, Finland) were all honored by the America East Conference at the annual banquet on Friday morning at the Binghamton Regency in Binghamton, N.Y. Ernest Turner was named to the America East Second Team. Tchekane Bofia was named to the America East All-Rookie team, while Ahvenniemi earned All-Defensive team honors. Turner, who leads Maine in scoring, is averaging 15.2 points per game and pulling down a 4.3 rebounds a game. Turner ranks tied for fourth in America East in free throw percentage, fifth in scoring and defensive rebounds and tied for ninth in steals. He was named America East Co-Player of the Week on Monday, February 27 after averaging 21.0 points per game in a pair of Maine wins. He hit a half-court shot as time expired to break a 66-66 tie and give Maine the victory over UMBC. Turner has led or tied for the team-lead in scoring 14 times this season. He currently ranks 10th on Maine's career three-point field goals list with 118 and tied for 12th on the single season three-point field goals list with 55 this season. Tchekane Bofia is averaging 9.6 points per game and grabbing 5.4 rebounds per game in his rookie season. He was named America East Rookie of the Week three times during the season. Tchekane Bofia leads Maine with three double-doubles on the season. He scored a career-high 16 points in Maine's game against UMaine Machias and also tied that mark with 16 points at Binghamton. Tchekane Bofia grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in Maine's victory over Morgan State. Ahvenniemi is scoring 5.9 points per game, pulling down a team-high 6.2 rebounds per contest and blocking 2.6 shots per game. He leads America East in blocks and ranks 22nd in the nation. He ranks sixth in America East in rebounds and defensive rebounds and tied for sixth in offensive rebounds. Ahvenniemi scored a career-high 16 points in Maine's game against Binghamton on January 12, 2006. He pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds in Maine's win at Boston University and blocked a career-high seven shots at Robert Morris. He has blocked at least three shots in 13 games this season, including at least four blocks in five games. Ahvenniemi recorded his 100th career block on Sunday, February 26 at Stony Brook. He currently ranks fifth on Maine's all-time blocks list with 101. His 70 blocks this season ranks fifth among single season leaders. Albany's Jamar Wilson was named the Kevin Robertson Player of the Year, while Binghamton's Sebastian Hermenier was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Mike Trimboli of Vermont was named the America East Rookie of the Year, while Hartford coach Larry Harrison was named America East Coach of the Year. The Black Bears return to action on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the America East Tournament. The Black Bears will face Binghamton at 12:00 noon in Binghamton, N.Y. -U-M-
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