NORTHAMPTON - Junior guard Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) poured in a career-high 20 points as the sixth-ranked Smith College basketball team defeated Springfield College 66-47 Saturday afternoon in a NEWMAC tilt. The Bears (18-1, 5-0 NEWMAC) forced 22 turnovers from the Pride who fell to 11-8 overall and 2-3 in the NEWMAC.

The first quarter began with Smith and Springfield trading turnovers, with Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) capitalizing on a fast-break layup to put Smith on the board first. The Pride responded with a strong outside shooting performance, highlighted by Claire Finney's back-to-back three-pointers, bringing the score to 6-2. Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) then contributed significantly for Smith, hitting three three-pointers, the last of which put them ahead 13-12. Kate Hackney (Thousand Oaks, CA/Bishop Alemany) added a late layup for Smith, but Ella Stair's three-pointer for Springfield with 10 seconds left tied the game at 15-15 as the quarter concluded. Both teams showed balanced scoring, with the Bears taking advantage of the Pride's seven turnovers.

Smith expanded their lead in the second quarter with a balanced attack, outscoring Springfield 20-14. Bre'Aria Cannon (Christiana, TN/Link Academy) opened the quarter with a layup, tying the game at 17-17. Hannah Martin's (North Andover, MA/North Andover) fast-break three-pointer at 8:10 gave Smith a lead they would maintain throughout the quarter. Johnson contributed significantly on both ends, with a steal and a subsequent fast-break layup at 3:14, extending Smith's advantage to 30-25. Springfield's Stefany Padula's efforts included a three-pointer at 8:42, but the Bears' defensive plays, including two blocks by Johnson, limited Springfield's scoring chances.

The Bears widened the gap in the third quarter with a strong performance, outscoring Springfield 16-7. Johnson was instrumental, contributing a fast break three-pointer at 8:24 and a layup with a free throw at 4:46, boosting the home team's momentum. Martin added to the scoring with a three-pointer at 7:45, while Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett) and Maggie Fleming (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove) each added key jumpers, maintaining Smith's advantage. Despite a late three-pointer by Izzy Pazzaglia for Springfield with just 4 seconds remaining, the Bears held a commanding lead heading into the final quarter.

Virginia Johnson's (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) three-pointer at 8:32 initiated a strong finish for Smith in the fourth quarter. Sylvester contributed with a layup and free throws, extending the lead to 58-42 with 6:36 on the clock. Madison Lopez of Springfield answered with a three-pointer at 6:36, but the Bears maintained control. Hackney's free throw at 1:50 and Uta Nakamura's (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) layup with 26 seconds remaining sealed the 66-47 victory for Smith. The home team converted five of nine field goals and secured nine rebounds, while Springfield struggled with three of 12 shooting in the quarter.

For the game, Smith shot 50% from the floor and 42.9% from three-point range. The Pride struggled from the field, shooting 27.5% from the floor and 20.7% from long distance.

Smith Top Performers  
Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest)
----------------------  
- 20 points  
- 9 rebounds  
- 6 steals  
- 2 blocks  

Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park)
----------------------  
- 14 points  
- 4/5 3-pointers  
- 4 assists  

Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett)
----------------------  
- 9 points  
- 5 rebounds  
- 5/9 free throws made  

Up Next
Smith travels to Wheaton College for a 7:00pm tilt with the Lyons on Wednesday, February at 7:00pm.

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,