RICHMOND, Va. (TribeAthletics.com) – William & Mary freshman Connor Kochera was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. Kochera is the first freshman in the CAA to earn player of the week honors since Elijah Bryant of Elon on Jan. 5, 2015.
Kochera averaged 26.5 points, seven rebounds, an assist and a steal in the Tribe's road sweep of Towson. He shot 67.7% (21-of-31) from the field, 50% (4-of-8) from 3-point range and 77.8% (7-of-9) at the free throw line.
After scoring 23 points in Saturday's 84-74 win, the Arlington Heights, Ill., native posted his first career double-double in leading the Tribe to a come-from-behind win on Sunday. He erupted for 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting and added 12 rebounds. Kochera, who scored 15 points in each half, scored in transition with 13.4 seconds remaining to lift the Tribe to a 75-74 victory.
Kockera became the seventh freshman in W&M history to scored 30 points in a game and the first in 20 years. He is one of just seven freshmen this season to score 30 points in a game as well.
The CAA Player of the Week honor is the first of the season for W&M and the second time Kochera has been honored. He was also named the CAA Rookie of the Week on Nov. 30 after scoring 19 points in the season-opener at Old Dominion.
Kochera leads all freshmen and is 15th in the CAA in scoring at 13.6 points per game. He also ranks 18th in the league in rebounds (4.8) and seventh in 3-point % (.404). Kochera has upped his production in CAA play, averaging 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. His current scoring average would ranks as the best at W&M since Thomas Roberts averaged 14 per game in 1990.
Kochera and the Tribe return to action at home this weekend, hosting James Madison on Saturday and Sunday.
