NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Smith forward Elle Jo Whalen's (Woodinville, Wash./Woodinville) block with no time on the clock secured a 56-53 victory for the Pioneers over WPI in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) basketball tilt Wednesday evening in Ainsworth Gymnasium. Smith moves to 11-1 overall and 2-0 in league action while the Engineers fall to 10-2, 1-1.

How it Happened

• The Pioneers wasted no time getting started as Katelyn Pickunka's (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) three put Smith ahead 7-0 just under two minutes into the game. WPI finally got their offense rolling and a layup by Alex Scariati made it 13-11 in favor of the Pioneers at the end of the quarter
• The second period featured four lead changes and six ties as the teams went into the locker room tied at 26.
• Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H./New Hampton School) scored nine of her 15 points in the third quarter to make it 44-41 with one period remaining
• Smith's five point lead was quickly erased on back-to-back treys from the Engineers. The visitors last held the lead at the 5:43 mark but had one final shot with under three seconds remaining to tie the game but Whalen stuffed the three-point attempt from Melanie Presseau

Inside the Numbers

• Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H./New Hampton School) finished with 15 points and five rebounds, while shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc
• Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) and Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) each chipped in 10 points
• Morgan Morrison (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day) added 11 points off the bench and Shell Gleissner posted five assists and four steals
• Smith shot 43.1 percent (22-of-51) from the floor, 50 percent (5-of-10) from behind the arc, and 53.8 percent (7-of-13) at the charity stripe

Up Next
Smith hosts Clark University Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 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.