February 1, 1996

Release No. 043 Contact: Adam Levin Sports Information Director Phone #: (207) 786-6411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Bobcat First-Year Women Hoopsters Continue To Impress

LEWISTON, Maine -- First-year guard Colleen McCrave, of Walpole, Mass., and first-year forward Amy "A.T." Taylor, of Orono were named Rookie of the Week by the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches' Association in the past two weeks. Taylor also earned New England Women's Basketball Association Co-Rookie of the Week. This is the second time that each has either won or shared the honors.

McCrave and Taylor have been key factors in the Bobcats' 10-5 start, their best since the 1990-91 season. McCrave, who earned the honor for the week of Jan. 22, averaged 8.5 points, 11 rebounds, 8.5 assists and four steals in two games.

In the first, a 73-62 loss to the University of Southern Maine, McCrave had a "double-double," scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds from her shooting guard position. In the second game, a 75-48 win over Savannah College of Art and Design, the versatile McCrave had another "double-double," this time amassing 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

In addition to her recent success, McCrave broke her own Bates' single game record for steals in a game with 14 in a Jan. 9 win over Thomas College. With 11 games left in the season, McCrave has already broken the Bates single season record for steals with 102. The previous record of 71 was set by Amy Schrag in 1988-89.

For the week of Jan. 29, Taylor was honored for her 18.5 points- and six rebounds-per-game averages in the Bobcats' two wins over the University of New England and Colby College. In the win over UNE, Taylor had 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the Bobcats 79-74 win. For the season, Taylor is second on the team in scoring, with an 18.7 points-per-game average, and rebounding, pulling in 6.9 boards per game.

McCrave is a 1995 graduate of Walpole High School. She is the daughter of William and Annmarie McCrave, 6 Eagle Drive, Walpole.

Taylor is a 1995 graduate of Orono High School. She is the daughter of G. Thomas and Katherine White Taylor of 38 Westwood Drive, Orono.