NORTON - The No. 6 Smith College basketball team turned a tight game into a rout coming out of halftime, holding Wheaton to just four field goals in the third quarter en route to a 87-55 victory Wednesday evening inside Emerson Gymnasium. The win marked the Bears 11th straight over the Lyons and lifted Smith to 19-1 overall and 6-0 in NEWMAC play. Wheaton drops to 5-15, 1-5 in conference play.

The game opened with Kennis Jasperson sinking a three-pointer for the Lyons at 9:32, giving them an early lead. The Bears responded with Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) making two free throws, part of a quarter where she contributed seven points. Smith's Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) was active, scoring a jumper at 06:06 and a layup just before the end of the quarter. Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) added a three-pointer at 03:26, helping Smith to a 20-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Wheaton struggled with turnovers, committing nine in the period.

Smith extended its lead over the Lyons in the second, finishing with a 15-12 advantage. Regan Keyter opened the scoring with a three-pointer for Wheaton, assisted by Cheyenne Colbert, but the Bears responded with a layup by Martin, assisted by Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran). VJohnson made a significant impact for Smith, hitting a three-pointer at 3:54 and adding a layup at 2:06, which contributed to Smith's scoring push. Despite Katelyn Cadmus's late three-point play for Wheaton, Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) closed the quarter by sinking three consecutive free throws with one second remaining, giving Smith a 35-25 lead at halftime.

Smith pulled ahead significantly in the third quarter, outscoring the Lyons by 15 points. Johnson opened the quarter with a defensive rebound, setting the tone for the Bears' dominance. Ella Sylvester (Everett, WA/Everett) contributed early with a layup at 9:09, while Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) added seven points, including a jumper at 5:12. Wheaton struggled offensively, with Cheyenne Colbert's tip-in at 4:08 providing one of their few successful possessions. Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) was effective from the free-throw line, hitting multiple attempts, and Maggie Fleming (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove) closed the scoring with a three-pointer at 1:09. Smith finished the quarter leading 61-36.

Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) contributed a layup, and Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) added a blocked shot and a layup to get things going. Uta Nakamura's (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) three-pointer at 7:54 extended Smith's lead. Wheaton's Cheyenne Colbert responded with a layup and free throws, but Smith maintained control with Jillian Nowicki's (San Diego, CA/Our Lady of Peace) two three-pointers, including one assisted by Nakamura. Ella Andrews (Boxford, MA/Dexter Southfield) concluded Smith's scoring with a layup at 41 on the clock for the 87-55 final. 

Smith shot 49.2% from the floor and 36.8% from three-point range.

Smith Top Performers  
Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran)  
----------------------  
- 13 points  
- 4/6 free throws made  
- 3 assists  

Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest)  
----------------------  
- 9 points  
- 7 rebounds  
- 4 steals  

Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial)  
----------------------  
- 10 points  
- 2 blocks  
- 9 rebounds  

Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park)  
----------------------  
- 8 points  
- 2 steals  

Up Next
Smith will host Clark University on Saturday at 2:00pm, a matchup between two undefeated teams in the NEWAMC.

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