NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Smith 84, Salve Regina 43
Records: Pioneers 1-0, Seahawks 0-1

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Smith College basketball team opened the 2019-20 season with an 84-43 victory over Salve Regina University Wednesday night at Rogers Recreation center.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Smith jumped out to a 17-4 lead which grew to 29-9 at the end of the opening quarter.

After a free throw by Brooke Vonasek with 8:25 left in the half, the Pioneers would generate a 22-10 run to close out the half.

Smith maintained a comfortable lead in the third, outscoring the hosts 12-9 for a 66-35 advantage going into the final frame.

The Pioneers continued to cruise in the final quarter as a jumper from sophomore Kyra Rideout (Hinsdale, N.H./Vermont Academy) late in regulation created Smith's largest lead of the night, 82-37.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Sophomore Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) tallied a career-high 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go along with six rebounds
• First-year guard Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, Calif./Fairmont Prep Academy) posted 13 points and two assists while classmates Morgan Morrison (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day) and Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H./New Hampton School) each finished with 10 points
• The visitors were led by Lauryn Becker's 10 points.

GAME NOTES

• The Pioneers are now 3-0 all-time against Salve Regina
• Smith wins its season opener for the sixth consecutive season
• The Pioneers shot 64.0 percent for the game, while outrebounding Salve Regina 33-26
• The Seahawks connected on just 31.5 percent from the field

UP NEXT
The Pioneers will now shift focus to the weekend when they host the 27th Tyler Tip-Off Tournament starting with the home-opener on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Rivier. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a 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.