NORTHAMPTON - In a matchup of two undefeated teams in conference play, the sixth-ranked Smith College basketball team secured a 76-64 victory over Clark University )15-6, 6-1 NEWMAC) Saturday afternoon at Ainsworth Gymnasium. With the win, the Bears move to 20-1 on the year and 7-0 in the NEWMAC. Today's win marked Smith's 8th-straight 20-win season, a testament to their consistent performance over the years. 



Smith opened the first quarter with a strong start, as Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) sank a three-pointer with an assist from Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) at 9:21. Clark responded with a layup from Atiya Watson, but the Bears maintained their momentum. Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park) added another three-pointer at 5:55, again assisted by Martin, to keep Smith ahead. Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) contributed significantly with two key layups, the second at 2:28, assisted by Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran), helping the Bears to a 17-12 lead over Clark at the end of the first quarter.

Smith narrowly outscored the Cougars 16-15 in the second quarter, maintaining a slim lead. Fongemie opened the scoring with a layup just three seconds into the period, extending Smith's advantage. Clark's Kailey Rios responded with a layup at 9:28, keeping the game close. Martin contributed significantly for Smith, scoring five points, including a layup at 5:44 assisted by Johnson. Maher capped off the quarter with a three-pointer at 00:39, assisted by Martin, pushing the score to 33-27. Despite the Cougars' Olivia Shipley scoring a late layup, the Bears held their lead heading into halftime.

Clark and Smith were evenly matched in the third quarter, each scoring 16 points. The Cougars began with a layup by Watson at 9:26, followed by a three-pointer from Cyriah Coleman at 8:20, tightening the gap. However, Smith responded with a three-pointer from Martin at 7:31, assisted by Maher. Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) contributed with a defensive block and a layup at 4:23. Despite Coleman's three-pointer at 2:46, the Bears' Kate Hackney (Thousand Oaks, CA/Bishop Alemany) concluded the scoring with a layup at 0:22, keeping Smith ahead 49-43 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth, Martin contributed significantly, scoring a jumper early and adding crucial free throws in the closing moments. Hackney was pivotal in the final period, scoring seven of her 11 points in the final period. Clark attempted a comeback with a three-pointer from Catherine Antwi at 9 seconds, but it was not enough to close the gap.

Smith shot 49.1% from the floor, 40% from three-point range and 84.2% from the free throw line. 

Smith Top Performers  
Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover)  
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- 19 points  
- 6 assists  
- 6 rebounds  

Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep)  
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- 15 points  
- 2 steals  

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

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

Up Next
The Bears will travel to Boston to face Emerson on Wednesday, February 10 at 5:00pm

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