BRUNSWICK, Maine - In a battle of nationally-ranked teams, the Smith College basketball team suffered a 69-52 loss to Bowdoin in the finals of the Bowdoin Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday. Sophomore Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) was named to the All-Tournament Team. 

The 13^th-ranked Polar Bears remain unbeaten at 5-0 this season while the 23^rd-ranked Pioneers fall to 4-1. Bowdoin finished at 48% shooting for the game and made 11-of-19 from three-point range. Smith shot just 2-of-17 from beyond-the-arc.

Top Performers

• Ruffner finished with a game-high 18 points to go along with three rebounds and two assists
• Senior Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) added 15 points and six boards
• Elle Jo Whalen (Woodinville, Wash./Woodinville) added six points, five rebounds and three assists

Game Highlights

• After a back-and-forth opening quarter that saw the Pioneers hold a slim 15-13 advantage, Bowdoin's offense caught fire in the second quarter.
• The Polar Bears erupted for 32 points and hit 8-of-9 from beyond the arc to open up a commanding 45-28 lead at halftime.
• Smith was able to stay within striking distance thanks to free throw shooting in the third quarter and slowly chipped away at Bowdoin's lead to start the fourth, coming as close as nine points, 56-47, with 5:50 to go in the game.
• Bowdoin immediately answered with a three-pointer that keyed a 13-2 run that put the contest away.

Up Next
Smith will take the week off before hosting Trinity on Sunday, November 28 at 3:00 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.