NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Smith 79, Moravian 71
Records: Pioneers 3-0, Greyhounds 2-1

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - The Smith College basketball team captured the 2019 Tyler Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday evening in Ainsworth Gymnasium as it knocked off previously unbeaten Moravian College, 79-71. Sophomore Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) was named the Most Valuable Player while first-year Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, Calif./Fairmont Prep Academy) was recognized as an All-Tournament team member. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
The Pioneers jumped out to an 11-0 lead before Maddie Capuano's jumper got Moravian on the scoreboard with 3:54 left in the first period. A free throw from the visitors with four second left would close the gap to five points, 14-9 , at the end of the opening quarter.

A layup from Smith's Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) put the Pioneers ahead 28-21 but that sparked a 7-0 run as the Greyhounds tied the game on Jackie Kelly's jumper in the paint with 2:10 remaining. Moravian closed out the half 3-of-3 from the field and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe for their largest lead of the game, 27-31, going into halftime. 

A three-pointer from first-year Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H./New Hampton School) got Smith within one, 45-44, with 3:02 left in the third quarter and would take their first lead of the quarter on three free throws from Ruffner. Free throws from Amy Madison gave the Greyhounds a 53-51 going into the final period.

After a jumper from Capuano, Smith strung together a 16-7 run to take a 67-62 lead with 5:59 remaining. Nadine Ewald connected on a layup to knot the score at 69-69 at the 1:49 mark. The Pioneers finished the game a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line for the 79-71 final. 


INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Pickunka poured in a game-high 23 points to go along with nine rebounds
• Yamada finished with 10 points, four assists, three steals and two boards
• First-year Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) added a career-high 16 points,three boards and three assists off the bench 

GAME NOTES

• Smith improves to 1-0 all-time against the Greyhounds
• The Pioneers have won the Tyler Tip-Off Tournament the last four seasons
• Smith shot 28-of-57 (49.1) from the field, including a 20-of-30 (66.7) performance from the free-throw line. 

UP NEXT
Smith will continue its homestand with a 7:00 p.m. matchup against New England College Wednesday evening.



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.