by Geoff Roberts/Owens Sports Information

SIGNING DAY VIDEO - here

Toledo, Ohio---Markese Allen (Crockett/Detroit, Mich.) has signed a letter of intent to play for NCAA Division II Ohio Valley University (West Virginia) next year.

The sophomore point guard for the Owens Community College men's basketball team became one of 10 players to officially transfer to a four-year university in Express head coach Dave Clarke's tenure.  

Allen was one of the best offensive rebounding point guards in program history. He finished with 156 rebounds, 61 offensive, in two seasons with the Express.

Allen was also a strong passer as evidenced by his 240 assists in two years with the team. He had 143 assists in 2012-13 and contributed 97 more in 2013-14.

His other two-year totals include: 258 points, 86 steals, and three blocks.

As a sophomore, Allen averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He also averaged 3.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game as a freshman. 

The Express went 51-16 with Allen's help in his two seasons with the team.

"My time at Owens went exceptionally well," Allen said. "Coach Dave Clarke is an excellent coach and [Assistant Coach] Keith Raine is excellent too."

"Markese was a tough competitor," Raine said. "He brought it every day in practice on the court. He's a great kid and he has a very bright future ahead of him."

"I think it says a lot about our program that our backup point guard could go and get a Division II full-ride scholarship," Raine added. 

Notes

Provided all goes as planned, third-year head coach Dave Clarke will have sent 12 players to four-year schools by the time he enters next season, including four Division I players. The program itself has a record of 75-24 in his three years.

Allen is the third member of the 2013-14 sophomore class to transfer to a four-year university. Bikramjit Gill signed a letter of intent for Ball State University and Tony Boykins signed to play at Gannon University.

The Owens men's basketball program went 25-6 this past year, including an 11-1 record in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play. They split the regular season conference championship with Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, who ended the season for the Express with a buzzer beater as time expired in the district championship game.