GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 6) – Following the best scoring season by a freshman in program history, University of Mount Olive guard Chase Dawson was named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year, as announced by the league office on Thursday morning.

Additionally, Dawson received All-Conference Carolinas Second-Team honors as voted on by the league head coaches. He becomes the fifth Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year in program history and the first to garner the accolade since former All-American Michael Brown. The Trojans have featured at least one all-conference selection in 23 of the previous 24 seasons.

A native of Durham, North Carolina, Dawson scored the third-most points in a single season in UMO history after tallying 642 total points in 30 games played. In the Conference Carolinas, he ranks first in total points and field goals made (230) while sitting second with an 82.9 free-throw percentage. Dawson averaged 21.4 points per game behind 18 games with at least 20 points, including a pair of contests with over 30 points. He scored a career-high 38 points on Feb. 24 on 13-of-25 shooting while converting 11-of-13 from the free-throw line in a 110-105 overtime win over rival Barton. Dawson posted an impressive .511 field-goal percentage (230-of-450) and knocked down 51 three-pointers this season. He also contributed 84 assists, 65 rebounds, and 40 steals while averaging 29.1 minutes per game.