Tilman Bevely had the best offensive season and the best single-game scoring output in Youngstown State men's basketball history as a Division I program.
Bevely, who was a 6-foot-4 forward for the Penguins from 1984-85 through 1987-88, scored 662 points, averaging 23.6 per game, during his junior campaign in 1986-87.
His total and average, helped by a 55-point effort against Tennessee Tech on Jan. 26 of that season, are the best efforts by a Penguin since making the jump to the Division I level.
Bevely scored 1,434 points a total that currently ranks 11th in school history for career points scored. He averaged 13.2 points per contest playing in 109 games. His 2,917 career minutes played rank fifth all-time.
In his career, he made 574 field goals while attempting 1,273 shots. He was also 202-of-277 from the free-throw line. Bevely finished in double figures 63 times, had 20-or-more points 26 times and in 1986-87 scored 30-plus points six times.
As a junior, Bevely had a phenomenal campaign setting class records for points, field-goals made, field-goals attempted and minutes played. He became one of two Penguins to be named first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference during the school’s seven-year tenure in the league.
For the campaign, his 662 points ranked fourth best in school history and his 23.6 points per game average was sixth best. He made 257 field goals -- fourth best -- on 546 attempts -- fifth best and was 87-of-112 from the free-throw line. He set a school mark by playing 1,052 minutes for the year.
In the contest against Tennessee Tech, he made 19-of-27 field-goal attempts, made four 3-pointers and was 13-of-17 on free-throw attempts. He also hauled down 12 rebounds.
His senior year he scored 414 points and averaged 14.8 points per game starting all 28 contests in YSU’s final year in the OVC. He scored in double figures on 23 occasions and had at least 20 seven times. He also led the team with 20 steals and was second with 144 rebounds (5.1 per game) and 74 assists in coach Jim Cleamons first year.
As a sophomore, he played in all 28 games and appeared in the starting lineup 13 times. He scored 260 points (9.2 average) while grabbing 139 rebounds (4.9 average). He scored in double figures 12 times, including a season-high 25 against Morgan State.
As a freshman, he played in 25 games and made his first career start. He scored 98 points, grabbed 32 rebounds and had 21 assists for the campaign.
A native of Campbell, he had a standout career at Memorial High School. As a senior, he was a first-team all-state selection averaging 29 points and 13 rebounds per game. He was inducted in the Campbell High School Hall of Fame in 2000.
Upon completion of his Youngstown State career, he played one season for the Youngstown Pride in the WBL. He then moved to Canada before settling in Seattle, Wash.
Bevely, who enlisted in the United States Navy more than 12 years ago, is currently deployed in Japan. Since enlisting he has been promoted on occasion and has spent time stationed in Florida and served in the Persian Gulf. He has continued his basketball career as part of various Naval teams.
