HIGH POINT – UNC Asheville senior guard Bryan Smithson was named to the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association University Division All-State men’s basketball team on March 25.

He becomes the first Asheville player ever to be honored by this group.

Smithson made the six-man second team after enjoying an excellent year for the Bulldogs, helping to lead UNCA to a school-record 23 victories and a 23-10 record.

The Bulldogs were co-champions of the Big South Conference in the regular season and advanced to the league title game for the first time in five years.

Asheville became the first school in Big South history to be invited to the National Invitational Tournament. The Bulldogs lost to Ohio State in the first round, 84-66.

The Kennesaw, Ga. native was a Big South first team All-Conference selection this year.

He led the Bulldogs in scoring (16.4), three-pointers made (61), steals (54) and free-throw percentage (83.5%).

Smithson led the Big South Conference in free-throw percentage for the second straight year. He also earned a spot on the Big South All-Tournament team.