April 24, 2008

WADSWORTH, Ohio - Hardin-Simmons All-American Mardochee Jean had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds in the first game of the Collegiate Basketball Invitational in Wadsworth, Ohio.

The CBI is a collection of all-stars from the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA teams across the nation. Jean is one of only seven Division III players in the event and he went head-to-head with Ben Strong from Guilford, who was the first-team All-American center on most lists and Jean was on the second team. Strong had only two points and four rebounds.

Jean's Louis Perry and Associates team won the game 95-78 and advanced in the single-elimination portion of the event. All three teams are guaranteed three games in the tournament and then the top 20 players from the tournament portion will be selected for an all-star game that will be played on ESPNU on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CST. Jean's next game will be at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Jean was 5-for-6 in the game and nine of his rebounds came on the offensive end. He also added an assist and a block in 22 minutes of action.

You can keep up with the tournament by going to www.collegiatebasketballinvitational.com.