NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - The Smith College basketball team rolled past New England College, 89-49, in a con-conference contest Saturday afternoon in Ainsworth Gymnasium.
Smith, who was ranked No. 20 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, closes out the regular season with a 21-2 record and a perfect 11-0 mark at home. The Pioneers earned the No. 1 seed in next week's NEWMAC Championship. Smith shot 63.2% from field on 36-of-57 shooting with 26 assists. Prior to the game, Smith honored its four seniors:
Dashelle Gleissner (Los Angeles, Calif./Serra),
Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire),
Kyra Rideout (Hinsdale, N.H./Vermont Academy) and
Elle Jo Whalen (Woodinville, Wash./Woodinville).
Top Performers
- Morgan Morrison (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day) scored 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor to go along with six rebounds
- Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) put forth a 16-point, five rebound effort
- Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) and Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, Calif./Fairmont Prep Academy) each finished with 12 points
- For the visitors, Ericka Pratt produced 13 points, four rebounds and two steals
How it Happened
With the game tied at 8-8, Whalen made a layup and Smith hit back-to-back threes to pull ahead 16-8. A layup from Morrison as time ran out put Smith up 20-10 after the first quarter.
The Pioneers continued to widen the gap as their lead grew to 16 on a free throw by Pickunka with 3:51 left in the half as the home team would hold a 32-19 margin at the half.
Smith outscored the Pilgrims 32-15 in the third quarter and shot 73.3 percent from the floor to make it 64-34. The Pioneers continued to coast throughout the final period and went on for the 89-49 final.
Up Next
Smith earned a first round bye in the conference tournament and will host the NEWMAC Semifinals on Friday, February 25 at 7:00 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.
