NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College basketball team (8-1) resumes play after a three week break from on court action with a visit to Westfield State University (8-4) on January 2.  The Owls lead the all-time series 12-7, but Smith won the most recent matchup between the schools.


Last Meeting:  Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) scored 15 points and had eight rebounds, and Lizzy BelBruno (Hanover, N.H./Hanover) chipped in 13 points as Smith opened the 2011-12 season with a 60-55 win over Westfield State in the Tyler Memorial Tip-Off on November 15, 2011.

Smith Overview:  This is the first game for the Pioneers since December 12, when Smith rolled to a 77-46 win over MCLA.  Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the year, while Amanda Zakoske (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School) stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, and two assists.

Westfield State Overview:  The Owls have already played twice since Christmas, with a pair of double-digit wins at the WPI Classic on Dec. 30/31.  Westfield scored a 65-55 victory over Johnson & Wales in the tournament's opening game, then beat the host Engineers 62-51 in the second day of play.

Smith Player to Watch: Zakoske's near triple-double against MCLA earned her NEWMAC Player of the Week honors, the second Smith player in as many weeks to win the award.

Westfield State Player to Watch: Jen Ashton nearly had a triple-double in both of the games in the WPI Classic, with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists against Johnson & Wales, and 10 points, eight assists, and eight steals against WPI.

Did you know? Westfield State is the third school with a bird mascot (Owls) that Smith will play this season - the others were Roger Williams (Hawks) and Trinity (Bantams).