Box Score HARTFORD, Conn.--A late rally fell a point short as the Smith College basketball team fell to Trinity College (Conn.) 58-57 in non-conference basketball action on Tuesday night. Smith's record is 5-8, while Trinity is 9-5.
Paulina Solis (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) led Smith with 18 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 4-for-7 from three point range.
Sydney Parkmond (Waterbury, Conn./Chase Collegiate) continued her strong play with 14 points and a team high nine rebounds.
Hannah Brickley topped the hosts with 15 points and seven rebounds. Mackenzie Griffin chipped in 13 and Taylor Murtaugh added 12 points off the bench.
Solis connected on an early three that gave Smith an 8-7 lead, but Trinity ran off six straight points capped by Griffin's steal and layup with 15:01 on the clock. The Bantams increased their lead to six (22-16) on two free throws from Murtaugh, only to see the Pioneers rattle off seven straight points, as
Mandy Castro (San Diego, Calif./Poway) and Solis scored to give Smith a 23-22 lead.
Trinity ended the half on an 9-3 run to lead 31-25 at the break. The Bantams picked up where they left off in the second half, with Brickley's layup giving Trinity a 37-27 advantage, keeping Smith at bay until the Pioneers got a layup from
Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) pulled Smith within two with 7:55 to play, and Smith continued to press.
Lauren Weston (Florence, Mass./Northampton)'s foul shot with 4:16 to play tied the game at 50, and after the teams traded baskets, Moriah Sweeney put Trinity ahead for good with 1:52 on the clock.
After two free throws from Murtaugh increased the lead to 56-52, Parkmond connected on a layup to get Smith back within two. Smith forced a turnover on the next Trinity possesion, but Drummond missed on a go-ahead three point shot with six seconds to play. Smith fouled, putting Abigail Hancock at the line, and after she made both free throws, Solis made a three at the buzzer for the final margin.
Smith returns to league play by hosting Emerson College on Saturday at 1 p.m. Trinity will also resume conference action, traveling to Bates College for a 6 p.m. tip on January 17.
