Shippensburg University graduate student Dom Sleva (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Men’s Basketball Defensive Athlete for the seventh time this season.
Sleva was recognized Monday by the league office after tying a career-high in defensive rebounds (17) and total boards (20) Saturday as SU held off a strong upset bid from the Mansfield Mountaineers on the road, 80-79.
He logged 42 minutes in the OT victory and forced Mansfield guard Idris Ali into a tough shot inside the paint in the final seconds of overtime, sealing the one-point win.
Sleva is one of only two Raiders in the last 25 years to pull down 20 rebounds in a game. His older brother, Dustin Sleva, pulled in 21 at Mansfield on Dec. 16, 2015.
In three total games this past week, Sleva averaged 15.7 pts. and 14.3 rebs., helping the Raiders notch wins over West Chester, Kutztown and Mansfield.
He posted three straight double-doubles to widen his NCAA Division II lead in that category. He now boasts 16 double-doubles on the season.
Sleva leads NCAA Division II in total rebounds (305) and defensive boards per game (9.9). The 20-rebound performance puts him at 942 caroms for his career, moving him into fourth place all-time in program history.
He was previously recognized as the league’s Defensive Athlete of the Week back on Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec 20, Jan. 9, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30.
