Romaine Thomas, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's preseason Defensive Player of the Year, has been named the 2020 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, the conference announced Sunday.

Thomas, a senior forward from The Bronx, N.Y., pulled down 275 total rebounds, blocked 41 shots and collected 25 steals. He averaged an SIAC-leading 10.2 rebounds per game in overall games this season and 16.7 points per game which was seventh-best among all SIAC players. 
He had 14 double-doubles this season.  Thomas shot 39.5 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from the 3-point line, and 81.3 percent from the free throw line. 

Thomas is also a second team pick for the SIAC's All-Conference team.  Joining him on that squad is guard Tyler Singleton.

Singleton, a graduate student from Dallas, Tx., averaged 14.7 points per game and was fourth in assists with 3.8 per game.  Singleton scored in double figures in 23 of 26 games played this season, including a season-high 25 points against Albany State in January.

The Panthers, who finished in second place in the SIAC's East Division during the regular season, open play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. when they take on Kentucky State.