Bates sophomore Bernadette Connors (Windham, N.H.) had the game to warrant starting all 24 games last season for the Bates women's basketball team. But despite good shooting form, decision-making and poise, Connors had a hard time getting her shot to fall last season, and averaged 5.5 points on 31.0% field-goal shooting in 27.7 minutes per game as a rookie. She was actually slightly ahead of that rate when she moved behind the three-point arc, making 32.4% of her threes.
If the first weekend of her sophomore season is any indication, Connors may be on her way to making a lot more of those shots.
Connors was named to the all-tournament team at the Rutland Herald Tip-Off Tournament, leading Bates to a 1-1 record with a 76-58 win over Elms on Saturday and a 57-54 loss to Castleton State on Sunday.
In the Elms game, Connors made 5-of-8 shots for 12 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out four assists and made two steals. The following afternoon against Castleton, an NCAA Sweet 16 team a season ago, Connors erupted for career highs of 16 points and 12 rebounds. She made her first six shots from the floor and finished 6-for-9, including 4-for-5 behind the three-point line.
