NORTHAMPTON - Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) led all players with 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three-point range to propel the Smith College basketball team to the NEWMAC Championship game on Sunday inside Ainsworth Gymnasium. The Bears defeated Springfield College, 66-53, in the semifinal round and will face Clark University on Sunday. 

Tickets for the game can be purchased HERE

The game began with Springfield's Natalie Lucas scoring a layup just 13 seconds into the first quarter. Smith responded with a fastbreak by Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) at 6:01, narrowing the deficit to 4-2. Later, Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) drained a three-pointer at 2:23 assisted by Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran), which pulled the Bears ahead for the first tie. Martin then extended Smith's lead with another three-pointer with just 42 seconds left in the period, contributing to Smith's 12-8 lead by the end of the first.

Virginia Johnson's (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) defensive block at the start of the second quarter set the tone as the Bears extended their lead of the Pride. Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) and Maggie Fleming (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove) contributor early points, with Johnson and Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) adding three-pointers to widen the game to 22-8   Hannah Martin' (North Andover, MA/North Andover)g three-pointer with 25 seconds left solidified strong offensive showing for Smith. Despite Springfield's late efforts, including a jumper by Carrie Hess, Smith held a 32-20 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Bears extended its lead over the Pride in the third quarter, starting with a strong performance by Kate Hackney (Thousand Oaks, CA/Bishop Alemany), who opened with a jumper and completed a three-point play at 9:42. Maher added to the scoring with two free throws, further increasing Smith's advantage. Martin contributed with a three-pointer at 7:33, assisted by Hackney.Springfield managed to close the quarter with a jumper by Ava Mermone at the 0:04 mark, narrowing the gam slightly. 

Smith secured the win with a final score of 66-53. In the fourth, Johnson contributed with a three-pointer and a successful free throw at 5:16, extending Smith's lead to 57-36. Springfield's Amanda Leary responded with consistent scoring, including a layup at 5:04 and a three-pointer at 1:33, but it was not enough to close the gap. Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) further solidified Smith's position by scoring multiple times, including a layup at 2:03 and a jumper at 1:04. 

Smith Top Performers
Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover)  
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- 19 points  
- 5 3-pointers  
- 2 steals  

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

Kate Hackney (Thousand Oaks, CA/Bishop Alemany)  
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- 9 points  
- 2 blocks  
- 5 rebounds  

Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park)  
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- 4/4 free throws made  
- 2 steals  

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

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 GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook, and  Instagram.