NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - The Smith College basketball team defeated Norwich University, 73-54, in the opening game of the 26th Annual Tyler Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon at Ainsworth Gymnasium. The Pioneers remain undefeated at 3-0 on the year, while the Cadet drop to 0-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 7-6, Smith went on a 12-5 run capped off by a Bondi three-pointer to put the home squad ahead 19-11 at the 2:49 mark of the first. A jumper from Mary Casamassa with 29 seconds remaining made the score 22-16 in favor of the Pioneers.

Smith outscored the Cadets 19-12 in the second to give them a 41-28 halftime lead.

Norwich kept things close in the third by scoring a quick six points to cut the margin to seven points, 41-34. Gleissner drained a three followed by a Guest-Pritchett layup to bring the lead back to double-digits for the remainder of the game. 

Smith went on a 9-0 run to open the fourth and outscored the Cadets 21-12 in the final quarter to put the game out of reach.


SMITH HIGHLIGHTS

• Lauren Bondi (Burnaby, BC, Can./Notre Dame Secondary) led the Pioneers in scoring for the third-consecutive game as the senior guard finished with 19 points, three assists, and three steals. She went 5-of-7 from long distance to bring her season total to 15. 
• Senior forward Kennedy Guest-Pritchett (Fairburn, Ga./The Lawrenceville School) recorded her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
• First-year Dashelle Gleissner (Los Angeles, Calif./Serra) produced a season-high 12 points to go along with two assists and two steals.

NORWICH HIGHLIGHTS

• Emily Oliver led the Cadets with 15 points and seven rebounds.
• Senior Vanessa Fleury put up eight points and nine rebounds.
• Casamassa dished out a team-high three assists.

GAME NOTES

• The Pioneers will play in the championship game of the Tyler Tip-Off for the fifth consecutive season.
• Smith outrebounded Norwich 42-27 and forced 22 turnovers.
• The Pioneers had a season low 12 turnovers. 
• Bondi needs just five three-pointers to move to third all-time in career treys.
• The Pioneers improve to 1-3 all-time against the Cadets.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers will play again tomorrow when they take on Hartwick College at 4:00 p.m. in the championship game to wrap up play in the Tyler Tip-Off Tournament. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is an NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.