Box Score WORCESTER, Mass. – The Smith basketball team held a two-point lead at halftime, but Clark University (3-4, 1-1) closed the game with a 17-8 run to pull away for a 53-39 triumph over the Pioneers (1-6, 0-2) Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers forced 12 turnovers in the first half to help build a 21-19 halftime lead. Smith first-year Paige Marquez (San Francisco, Calif./Saint Ignatius College Preparatory) hit a free throw with 1:11 on the clock to give the visitors a two-point lead, but a pair of free throws by Clark's Aretha Sullivan tied the contest at 19. Marquez sunk a layup with 31 seconds remaining in the half to give the Pioneers a two-point advantage at the half.

The Cougars opened the second half with an and-one layup from Gwyneth Ivory, but the Pioneers roared back to take a one-point lead on a pair of made free throws by first-year Samantha Alakai (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School). After Clark's Sami Dokus knocked down a three, Smith sophomore Jade Chihara (Lahaina, Hawaii/Lahainaluna) sank a jumper with 16:30 to play to tie the game, 27-27.

The teams exchanged baskets, which kept the contest tied midway through the period. However, the game turned when a Haley Wilder jumper ignited a 17-2 blitz from Clark, which featured four of Ivory's seven points, to give them a 48-31 lead and the Pioneers never recovered.

Chihara was one of three Pioneers to reach double digits with 12 points. Chihara also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and four assists. Marquez finished with 13 points, while Alakai totaled 10 points, five rebounds and four steals.

For Clark, Sam O'Gara dropped in 10 and Aretha Sullivan chipped in with nine.

The Pioneers will be on the hardwood again Tuesday when they travel to Westfield State University. The match-up with the Owls will start at 7 p.m.