NORTHAMPTON - The No. 3 Smith College basketball team finished off a perfect weekend with a 85-61 win over TCNJ in the final game of the Smith Holiday Classic on Wednesday evening. Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) was recognized as an All-Tournament Team member. 

The Bears improve to 9-0 this season with the win and an impressive 22-2 record during the 2025 calendar year. 

The game opened with Johnson scoring a jumper for the Bears, quickly matched by a layup from TCNJ's Brooke McFadden. Smith's Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) then converted a fast-break layup to regain the lead. Nakamura extended the Bears' advantage with a layup at 6:36, and Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) added two free throws shortly after, contributing to Smith's securing of a narrow lead. Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) capped the quarter with a layup in the final minute, leading the Bears to a 23-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Fongemie initiated the scoring for the Bears with a layup just 10 seconds into the second quarter, extending their lead to 25-14. Johnson later contributed significantly with a layup and a 3-pointer, increasing Smith's advantage to 32-20 by the midpoint. Nakamura added a fastbreak layup at the 4:13 mark, pushing the score to 36-20. In the final minutes, Maher hit consecutive 3-pointers, helping the Bears close the quarter with a 47-24 lead. Smith outscored the Lions 24-10 in the quarter, building a substantial margin going into the halftime break.

The Bears extended their lead with a strong third quarter, outscoring TCNJ 28-16. Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) played a pivotal role, contributing three 3-pointers, including one at 7:06, assisted by Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett). Martin added to the momentum with two free throws at 7:37. TCNJ's Olivia Voshell attempted to narrow the gap with consecutive layups, but Smith's advantage remained solid. The quarter concluded with an impressive 3-pointer from Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) at 2:02, putting the Bears ahead 71-37.

Smith maintained their lead in the fourth quarter, despite a strong push from the Lions. TCNJ's Grace Kowalski hit a 3-pointer at 8:13, contributing to their scoring surge. However, Nakamura responded with a jumper at 3:23 to keep the home team in control. TCNJ's Olivia Voshell and Riley Ahrens added points from free throws, but a late layup by Smith's Ella Andrews (Boxford, MA/Dexter Southfield) sealed the 85-61 victory. 

Smith scored 23 points off of 11 TCNJ turnovers and dominated inside, scoring 48 points in the paint.

Smith Top Performers  
Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest)  
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- 18 points  
- 4 3-pointers  
- 5 rebounds  

Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran)  
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- 16 points  
- 4 rebounds  
- 2 assists  

Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park)  
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- 11 points  
- 3 3-pointers  
- 2 assists  

Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett)  
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- 7 rebounds  
- 4 points  
- 1 assist  

Up Next
Smith hosts Bridgewater State Saturday, January 3 at 2:00pm

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 onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram