NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--For the second straight year, Smith College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute will meet in the semifinals of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference tournament.  But while the seeds are reversed for 2011, the stakes are just as high, with a finals berth on the line.  The No. 2 seeded Pioneers and No. 6 Engineers will tip-off at 3 p.m. at Staake Gym on the campus of Babson College on February 25.  Tickets are available for $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1 for students.

Last Meeting:  Smith locked up the No. 2 seed with a 65-59 overtime win over WPI on February 15. The teams traded the lead in the final two minutes, and Ellie Giles (Charlottesville, Va./St. Annes Belfield) swatted away the Engineers' attempt to win at the buzzer.  Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) scored five points in overtime as Smith outscored WPI 9-3 in the extra frame.

All-time playoff results:  The two teams met in this stage last year, as Smith, then seeded No. 3, upset No. 2 WPI 57-50.  WPI and Smith also met in the semifinals in 1996, where the Engineers eked out a 59-58 win in overtime, and in the quarterfinal round in 1997, where No. 3 WPI edged Smith 64-62.

Smith Overview: The finished one of the best regular seasons in school history with a 68-54 win over Wellesley College on February 18.  The Pioneers tied the school's single season record for wins in a season with 19, and set a new school record for league wins with 14.  Paulina Solis (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) led the way with 16 points, while Lizzy BelBruno (Hanover, N.H./Hanover) added 12 and Ellie Giles (Charlottesville, Va./St. Annes Belfield) 11.

WPI Overview: The Engineers continued their hot streak with a 65-55 upset win over No. 3 seeded Clark University in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday night.  Baillie McNally hit eight free throws in the final 1:06 as WPI recovered from being down as many as seven points.  The Engineers have now won seven of eight games and have advanced to the semifinals for the seventh consecutive year.

Smith Player to Watch:  In the final two weeks of the regular season, Lizzy BelBruno (Hanover, N.H./Hanover) averaged 10.8 points per game, hit 38 percent (8-of-21) three point shots, and passed out three assists per game.

WPI Player to Watch: Lauren Hannmann scored 17 points in the upset of Clark, and is averaging 11. 2 points per game while connecting on 30.6 percent (37-of-121) from three point range this season.

Playoff Picture: The winner of this game will play the winner of top-seeded and nationally ranked Babson College and No. 4 Wellesley College.  The Beavers and Blue get underway at 1 p.m.  The championship game will be on February 26 at 1 p.m.