NORTHAMPTON - For the first time in program history, the Smith College basketball team advanced to the Division III Final Four with a 63-46 victory over Trinity College in the NCAA Division III Tournament Quarterfinals on Saturday evening in Ainsworth Gymnasium. 

The Pioneers (30-1) continue to set the school record for victories and will play Transylvania in the NCAA Semifinals Saturday, March 18 in Hartford, CT. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Rhode Island College and Christopher Newport University will play in the other semifinal at 5:00pm. Trinity's season comes to an end with a 25-5 record.







Game Highlights

• Trinity quickly went up 9-3 with four minutes left in the opening quarter but Smith responded with a 10-2 run to take a 13-11 lead on a three-pointer by Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H./New Hampton School). A basket to end the period by the Bantams made the score 13-13 after one.
• Yamada caught fire in the second, scoring 18 of Smith's 22 points as the Pioneers went up 35-24 at the break
• The Bantams chipped away and got to within single digits (39-31) at the 6:42 mark. The visitors would get as close as six, 42-36 on a free throw by Frankie Silva but a 5-0 run to end the third put Smith ahead 47-36
• The Pioneers were able to coast through the fourth and widened the gap to 17 points as Yamada scored the final bucket of the game in the closing minutes

By the Numbers

• Yamada was outstanding, scoring 23 points off the bench and knocking down six 3-pointers
• Morgan Morrison (Detroit, Mi/Detroit Country Day) added 17 points and 10 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the year
• Katelyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire) chipped in eight points and grabbed 11 boards while Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) finished with eight points and four assists
• Smith shot 45.5% from the floor, 41.2% from long distance and 69.6% from the free throw line
• Trinity went 30.6% from the field, 26.7% from the three-point line and 66.7% from the free throw line
• The Pioneers owned a 39-32 rebounding margin

"I'm thinking about all the work that needs to be done, and preparation. For (Saturday), yeah, we're going to celebrate this. We're going to enjoy our time together. It's a big accomplishment. We're super privileged to be at a school like Smith with all the support we've had, and the belief that we could do something like this. That's very meaningful to all of us," Hersey said. "I'm just ready for more. This is fun. This is great. I don't think this is the ultimate goal for any of us."

Up Next
Smith will battle Transylvania in the NCAA Semifinals Saturday, March 18 in Hartford, CT at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased HERE

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.