John Grotberg '09 (left) finished as the Division III leader in both points per game (28.1) and 3-point field goals made per game (5.8), while David Arseneault '09 (right) was the leader for assists per game (10.4). It marked the third year in a row that Arseneault has been the nation's assists leader.

In addition, the Pioneers led Division III in three team categories - scoring offense (107.9 points per game), 3-point field goals made per game (19.3) and steals per game (16.0). Grinnell took over the top spots in scoring and 3-point field goals from Redlands, Calif.

Grotberg, a 6-foot-2 guard from Ann Arbor, Mich. (Ann Arbor-Pioneer HS), led the nation and conference in scoring (28.1 points per game) and 3-pointers per game (5.83) this season. Grotberg, who is the fourth Pioneer to join the 2,000-point club for his career, also ranked among the MWC leaders in steals (2.54 per game), free throw percentage (fourth at 84.7 percent) and assists (10th at 2.75 per game).

Kent Raymond of Wheaton, Ill., was named the Midwest Region Player of the Year, Washington University's Mark Edwards was tabbed Coach of the Year and Steve Djurickovic of Carathage was named Rookie of the Year.

Grotberg (left), a 6-foot-2 guard from Ann Arbor, Mich. (Ann Arbor-Pioneer HS) led the nation and conference in scoring (28.1 points per game) and 3-pointers per game (5.83) this season. Grotberg, who is the fourth Pioneer to join the 2,000-point club for his career, also ranked among the MWC leaders in steals (2.54 per game), free throw percentage (fourth at 84.7 percent) and assists (10th at 2.75 per game).

Arseneault (center), a 6-2 guard from Grinnell, Iowa (Grinnell HS), was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award for the second year in a row. He set an NCAA record for assists in a game, regardless of division, with 34 and also set the Grinnell career record for assists. He led the nation and conference in assists with 10.43 per game and was also first in the league in assist-to-turnover ration at 3.08. On top of that, he ranked among the MWC leaders in steals (sixth with 1.43 per game), 3-point percentage (sixth at 43.2 percent) and scoring (seventh at 16.6 points per game).

Long (right), a 6-0 guard from Lake Bluff, Ill. (Lake Forest HS) was the MWC leader in steals with 2.58 per game. He also ranked among the MWC's best in 3-pointers per game (second at 4.58), scoring (third at 22.0 points per game) and free throw percentage (12th at 75.0 percent). Both Long and Arseneault joined the Pioneers' 1,000-point club during the season.

Ryan Kroeger of Lawrence University was named the MWC Player of the Year, while Knox College's Tim Heimann was tabbed Coach of the Year.
Click to read All-MWC release

The winners (15-8) got a basket by Nate Zimmerman with 3.8 points left to advance to the title game, where they will face either top-seeded Lawrence University or No. 4 seed St. Norbert College

No. 2 seed Grinnell (16-8) had a 3-pointer at the end, but it came after the buzzer to preserve No. 3 Carroll's win. Grinnell had four players score in double figures with John Grotberg '09 tallying 36 and Bobby Long '09 adding 26. David Arseneault '09 added a double-double with 17 points and 12 assists, while Keith Chamberlain '08 had 15 points.

The teams played close the whole way, with Carroll leading 56-51 at the end of the first half. In the second half, Grinnell College trailed by a point before going on a 11-4 run for a 105-99 lead with 6:06 left. Mike Schmidt '08, Long and Grotberg all had treys during the run, while Grotberg also had a two-point bucket.

But Carroll rebounded, taking the lead with the 3:33 left on John Hoch's basket that made it 111-110. Grinnell still trailed by four before Arseneault drained a trey with :32 left and Chamberlain scored a layup at the :16 mark to tie the game at 122-all. That set up Zimmernan's game-winner.
Box Score

The 6-foot-2 Arseneault, who led the nation in assists the last two years, is one of 16 finalists for the award presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame and The Hartford. In November, he was among 40 players listed as preseason candidates for the honor.

Arseneault is having another banner season, one highlighted by a 34-assist performance on Dec. 8 against North Central (Minn.). That mark is the highest recorded at any level of NCAA basketball.

Arseneault has 546 assists in his Pioneer career, already a school record. This season, he is averaging a double-double of 15.6 points and a national-high 10.4 assists per contest.

Fans can get in on the voting for the award. To vote for Arseneault, visit cousyaward.com