The NESCAC announced its all−conference selections in men's and women's basketball on Wednesday, and the Jumbos were prominently represented. A look at Tufts' honorees:
Jr. Vanessa Miller | Defensive Player of the Year: For the third straight year, the conference's top defensive honor went to a Jumbo. This time, Miller was tabbed with the award after averaging a NESCAC−best 3.24 steals per game. The 5−foot−2 tri−captain did more than just wreak havoc on the perimeter, however, pulling down an average of 4.2 rebounds per game. Nearly half of those came on the offensive end.
Sr. Julia Baily | First Team All−NESCAC: In a year in which she was counted on to anchor the Jumbos' post, Baily delivered the best season of her career. The senior forward was a First Team all−conference selection for the first time after ranking second in the conference in both points (15.6) and rebounds (9.1). Along the way, she posted a NESCAC−best 12 double−doubles, including a string of four in a row versus NESCAC opponents between Jan. 30 and Feb. 13.
Jr. Colleen Hart | First Team All−NESCAC: The Jumbo point guard's trophy case is filling up awfully fast. A former NESCAC Rookie of the Year, Hart added her second career First Team all−conference selection to her awards haul yesterday after pacing the NESCAC with 16.6 points per game. The heart and soul of coach Carla Berube's squad also led the conference in minutes played and three−point field goals this season.
Sr. Jon Pierce | Second Team All−NESCAC: The men's basketball team's lone all−conference honoree, Pierce ended his sterling career on the Hill with his third straight Second Team selection. With 18.3 points per game, he finished just shy of the NESCAC's scoring title, while also leading his team in rebounding (7.3), steals (1.1) and blocks (1.5). Pierce leaves the program as its all−time leading scorer.
