CAMBRIDGE - The Smith College basketball team secured a perfect 11-0 NEWMAC record with its 67-53 win at MIT (14-11, 8-3) on Saturday. The victory is the 10th straight for the Bears (24-1) who earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament and clinched the regular season title for the fifth-straight season.

The Bears will host Emerson in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm inside Ainsworth Gymnasium. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, February 22 at 10:00am.

Smith started strong in the first quarter, establishing an early lead over MIT. Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) contributed significantly with a layup and a three-pointer, while Maggie Fleming (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove) added a fastbreak jumper, pushing the Bears ahead. Despite the Engineers' Mary Lobon's efforts on offensive rebounds, Smith capitalized on turnovers, with Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) and Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) each scoring crucial points. Ruth Lanouette's late three-pointer and jumper closed the gap for MIT, but Smith maintained a 16-13 advantage at the end of the quarter.

Smith extended its lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Engineers 16-7. Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) contributed a three-pointer at 6:48, assisted by Martin, which helped Smith maintain momentum. Martin also added a layup at 3:55 and completed a three-point play at the 1:15 mark, pushing the Bears' advantage. Johnson's defensive efforts included a crucial steal with just five seconds remaining, capping off a strong performance by Smith in the quarter.

The third quarter featured a strong start from MIT, as Riley O'Sullivan hit a three-pointer just 10 seconds in, assisted by Lobon, to narrow the gap. Smith responded with two free throws by Martin at 9:29, maintaining its lead. Johnson capitalized on a fast break with a three-pointer at 7:49, extending the Bears' advantage to 37-26. Fongemie added a layup and a three-pointer, helping Smith to a 47-32 lead. Nakamura drained two free throws with 1:38 remaining, and Bre'Aria Cannon (Christiana, TN/Link Academy) closed the quarter with two more from the charity stripe, setting the score at 51-38 in favor of the Bears.

Cannon opened the quarter with a layup at 9:42, extending Smith's lead. Martin contributed with a layup at 6:04, following a steal. MIT's Lobon and Lanouette provided some resistance with late baskets, but Smith's consistent scoring, including a three-pointer by Cannon at 4:45, kept the game out of reach. Smith outscored MIT 16-15 in the final quarter, sealing their victory.

Smith Top Performers
Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover)  
----------------------  
- 15 points  
- 6 field goals made  
- 4 assists  

Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep)  
----------------------  
- 13 points  
- 2 3-pointers  
- 3/4 free throws made  

Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest)  
----------------------  
- 10 points  
- 7 rebounds  
- 3 assists  

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

Up Next
Smith hosts Emerson in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm