NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Smith 71, Williams 64
Records: Pioneers 14-1, Ephs 12-3

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Smith College basketball team staved off a fourth quarter run to earn a 71-64 win over Williams College Tuesday evening. The Ephs, who were receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, are handed their second consecutive loss. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Smith came out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to an 8-0 run in the opening 1:52 on two baskets apiece from junior Elle Jo Whalen (Woodinville, Wash./Woodinville High School) and sophomore Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire). After shooting 64.7% from the field, Smith led 24-13 after the first.

The teams exchanged buckets to begin the second stanza before first-year Morgan Morrison's (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day) layup at the 4:29 mark sparked a 6-0 run before a three-pointer from the Ephs made the score 39-23 going into halftime 

Smith was able to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the third and headed to the fourth with a 54-38 advantage.

The final period belonged to the Ephs as the home team outscored Smith 26-17. Williams got as close as seven with 1:05 left in the game, but Smith was able to hold on for the 71-64 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Pickunka led the Pioneers with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting to go along with nine rebounds
• First-year Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H./New Hampton School) poured in 17 points and four boards off the bench 
• First-year Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) finished with 11 points and six rebounds

GAME NOTES

• Smith improves to 14-28 all-time against the Ephs 
• The Pioneers have won both games against NESCAC opponents this season
• For the game, Smith shot 49.1% (28-of-57) from the field but was held to just 30-of-14 from behind-the-arc
• Williams connected on 40.3% (27-of-67) of shots taken and allowed their highest point total of the season
• Smith held a dominating 45-28 advantage in rebounds while forcing 14 turnovers

UP NEXT
Smith will begin its NEWMAC slate on Saturday at Emerson at 1:00 p.m.

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.