Women's Basketball at Wheaton
Saturday, January 16 - 1 p.m.
Haas Athletic Center (Emerson Gymnasium) - Norton, Mass.
Live Stats        Video

Last Meeting
Three Pioneers scored in double figures as a furious comeback fell short in Smith's 74-70 loss to Wheaton on Janury 17, 2015. The Pioneers trailed by 12 points midway through the second half and had the contest within a single possession with 27 seconds left to play. Meghan Holland (Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Prepatory) finished with 18 points while Samantha Alakai (Pukalani, Hawaii/Punahou School) added 14.

The Series
This is the 50th meeting in a series that dates back to the 1981 season with Wheaton holding a 31-18 advantage. The Pioneers have won six out of the last eight meetings.

The Lyons
Wheaton (10-5, 3-3 NEWMAC) looks to get back in the win column after their 70-52 NEWMAC loss to MIT Thursday evening. In that game, Ruthie Zientek led the Lyons with 11 points, while senior Rebecca Arnone tallied 10 points, four rebounds and three steals. After trailing 39-14 at the half, Wheaton erupted for 26 third quarter points. Senior forward Kiley Shoemaker is second in the conference in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and third, pulling down 9.5 rebounds per contest. The Lyons average 62.9 points per game and are shooting 37.2 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from 3-point range. Wheaton was picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll. 

The Pioneers
Smith (5-8, 2-4 NEWMAC) aims to pick up a much needed conference win after their 65-48 NEWMAC loss to WPI Thursday evening. In that game, sophomore guard Samantha Alakai (Pukalani, Hawaii/Punahou School) scored a season-high 18 points and first-year forward Kennedy Guest-Pritchett (Fairburn, GA/The Lawrenceville School) added 11 points and eight rebounds. Guest-Pritchett is fourth in the NEWMAC with 9.2 rebounds per contest and is shooting 49.2 percent from the field. Alakai (37.2%) and first-year guard Lauren Bondi (Burnaby, BC, Can./Notre Dame Secondary) (32.7%) are both ranked in the top-five of the conference in three-point shooting percentage. The Pioneers score 62.4 points per game and are shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from long distance. Smith was picked to finish fifth in the NEWMAC preseason coaches poll. 

Next Up
Smith plays the final contest of their three game road trip Tuesday evening at Middlebury. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

       2015-16 NEWMAC Women's Basketball Standings

School	Conference	Overall
WPI	6-0	14-1
MIT	6-1	10-4
Babson	5-1	9-5
Coast Guard	5-1	8-5
Springfield	4-2	9-5
Wheaton	3-3	10-5
Smith	2-4	5-8
Emerson	2-5	4-9
Wellesley	1-6	3-11
Clark	1-6	3-12
Mount Holyoke	0-6	0-14

 
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