STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Mouhamadou Gueye ranks in the top 10 nationally in blocks, averaging nearly three per game.

His eight blocks against UMBC on Feb. 7 came within one of matching Jameel Warney's program record, set during the 2015-16 season against Princeton.

And, earlier this season, Gueye became the second-fastest to 100 career blocks in program history, taking only 45 games.

So it's no wonder Gueye was honored by America East's men's basketball coaches on Thursday as the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

Gueye and Stony Brook teammate Juan Felix Rodriguez also were named third-team all-conference.

"Mo has worked really hard and has taken great pride in his defense this year," coach Geno Ford said. "It is a well-deserved award. I'm happy he is being recognized for all of his versatility, effort and concentration on the defensive end of the floor."

Stony Brook has now claimed America East's Defensive Player of the Year Award six of the past 10 seasons. Tommy Brenton earned the honor in 2012 and '13, Warney in '15 and '16 and Jeff Otchere in '19.

Gueye, a 6-foot-9 senior from Staten Island, is averaging 9.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season.

Rodriguez, like Gueye a product of Monroe College, is averaging 12.9 points and 3.3 assists per game as Stony Brook's point guard.

The Seawolves enter the postseason on Saturday as the No. 7 seed. They face sixth-seeded UMass Lowell in Durham, N.H., at 1 p.m. The winner advances to face third-seeded New Hampshire, the pod host, the following day.