NORTHAMPTON - The No. 6 Smith College basketball team forced 23 turnovers in a 60-38 win over WPI Saturday afternoon inside Ainsworth Gymnasium. With the victory, the Bears improve to 22-1 on the year and a 9-0 mark in NEWMAC play. The Engineers fall to 13-10 overall and 4-5 in conference action. 

The first quarter began with Smith quickly taking control as Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) scored a layup at 9:22 to start the scoring. Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett) continued the Bears' momentum with another basket, bringing the score to 4-0. The Engineers responded with a jumper from Emmy Allyn at 7:30, assisted by Ava Giansiracusa, tying the game 4-4 shortly after a layup by Leila Nielsen. Smith regained the lead with two free throws by Fongemie, making it 6-6. Maggie Fleming's (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove) layup at 0:45, assisted by Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest), extended Smith's lead to 10-8. Uta Nakamura's (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) fastbreak layup in the final seconds secured a 12-8 advantage for Smith at the end of the quarter.

Smith extended its lead in the second period with a strong offensive performance, recording 18 points compared to the Engineers' 9. Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) hit a three-pointer at the 8:24 mark, putting the Bears ahead 15-10. Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) added to the momentum with a jumper, making it 26-14 with 4:21 remaining. Sylvester contributed on both ends, scoring four points, including two free throws at 6:18. WPI's Ava Hyams scored a layup with 34 seconds left, but Smith's consistent scoring and five steals in the quarter secured its advantage.

Johnson led Smith with a strong performance in the third quarter, contributing a three-pointer at 9:37 and following with a jumper to extend the lead to 35-17. The Engineers responded with Allyn sinking a three-pointer at 8:45 and later adding another at 3:26. Smith maintained its advantage, aided by Johnson's layup and free throw, pushing the score to 38-24. Despite WPI's Giansiracusa making two free throws with 7 seconds remaining, Smith held a 41-29 lead at the end of the quarter.

Smith secured a decisive victory in the fourth quarter, outscoring WPI 19-9. Bre'Aria Cannon (Christiana, TN/Link Academy) initiated the scoring with a layup at 9:37, followed by Martin's steal and subsequent layup, which extended the lead. Johnson contributed significantly with two three-pointers, one at the 5:00 mark and another at 3:42, assisted by Martin. WPI's Corinn Ouellette managed a layup and two free throws, but Smith's consistent offensive performance ensured the win. The Bears' defensive efforts, including three steals, limited the Engineers' scoring opportunities and solidified the outcome.

The Bears shot 38.9% from the floor and an impressive 12-of-13 from the free throw line while scoring 27 points off turnovers.

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

Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett)  
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- 10 points  
- 4/4 free throws made  
- 6 rebounds  

Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover)  
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- 9 points  
- 3 assists  
- 2 steals  

Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran)  
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- 3 steals  
- 4 points  

Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep)  
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- 3 steals  
- 4 points  
- 2 assists  

Up Next
Smith travels to Babson on Wednesday, February 18 at 5:30pm

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