Teams: Women's Basketball: Press Releases

HART EARNS NESCAC'S FIRST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR

Colleen Hart had one of the most productive offensive nights in Tufts history against New Paltz

MEDFORD -- Honored as a Preseason All-American by D3Hoops.com, Tufts junior guard Colleen Hart (Needham, MA) went out and proved herself worthy of the recognition right away.

Hart averaged 23 points per game on 60.7 percent shooting (17/28), including nine for 13 on three-point attempts (69.2 percent), at the Rino's Pizza Classic hosted by SUNY New Paltz over the weekend (Nov. 20-21). That performance has earned Hart the first New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Week award.

On Friday night, Hart scored a career-high 31 points in the opening round against host New Paltz. She scored on 11 of 18 shots, including six for nine on three-pointers. The 31 points were the most at Tufts since Emily Goodman poured in 36 against Wesleyan in February 2001. Hart's six threes were most by a Jumbo since Carrie Hironaka drained six against Middlebury on February 12, 1999. Hart played 46 minutes in the New Paltz game, which Tufts lost 80-78 in two overtimes. She added three steals.

In the consolation game against York (NY) on Saturday afternoon, Hart added 15 points on six for 10 shooting, including three for four on threes. She also contributed four rebounds, four assists and two steals to a 68-60 Jumbo victory. She was named to the All-Tournament team.

This is Hart's first NESCAC Player of the Week award. She was an All-Conference First Team selection last year and the league's Rookie of the Year and a Second Team pick for the 2007-08 season.

After one weekend of play, Hart's 23 points per game and nine three-pointers lead the conference.

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