BOSTON, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its weekly awards for the period ending November 17 and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Amber Legare was recognized as the Player of the Week in basketball. Her honor comes on the heels of helping the Lyons to a 2-0 mark in their opening week.
A junior forward out of Chicopee, Mass., earned Tournament MVP honors in leading the Lyons to a pair of victories to capture the 2013 Mariner Pepsi Classic last weekend at Maine Maritime. She poured in a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead MHC past Bates by a 77-63 margin in the opener. Legare then recorded a team-best 12 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals in a 51-38 championship game victory against the Mariners.
This is the second career weekly honor for the former Chicopee Comprehensive standout, who started all 24 games in 2012-13. During her sophomore campaign, Legare averaged 11.6 points with a team-best 7.4 rebounds and 25 blocks. She added 24 assists and 17 steals, while going 39% (99-254) from the floor. Additionally, she shot 75% (69-92) from the free throw line and averaged 27.5 minutes per game.
Among her top performances came in a 70-44 win over Mount Ida at the Keene State Tip-Off, where she posted a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. For her efforts she was named to the Keene State Tip-Off All-Tournament Team.
As a rookie, Legare played in all 24 games, including 23 as a starter. She averaged 9.7 points with a team-best 7.3 rebounding mark. She also had 19 assists and team-best totals in blocks and steals with 38 and 36, respectively. In addition to going 37.8% (93-246) from the floor, Legare shot 66.7% (46-69) from the free throw line and averaged 29.9 minutes per game.
Legare, who also competes on the Mount Holyoke outdoor track & field team, was a four year member of the basketball, soccer and outdoor track & field teams prior to MHC. As a member of the Chicopee basketball team, she served as captain and was an All-Western Mass selection. Additionally, she was the team's Most Valuable Player and played in the Senior All-Start Game.
Mount Holyoke (2-0) returns to action on Wednesday when it opens its NEWMAC slate on the road at WPI. Tip-off is set for 7pm. The Lyons close out the week with a 1pm contest at Wheaton on Saturday. Live links, including stats and video, for both contests can be found at http://athletics.mtholyoke.edu/sports/wbkb/2013-14/schedule.
