LEWISTON, MAINE - Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) led four players in double-figures and the Smith College basketball team earned a 73-55 win over Union (NY) in the opening rond of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Friday evening in Alumnu Gymnasium on the campus of Bates College. The Bears (28-1) move on to the second round on Saturday evening where they will face either Bates or Merchant Marine at 7:15pm.

Martin scored 21 points with four assists and three steals, while Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) added a monster double-double of 12 points and 14 boards. 

 

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Smith opened the game strong, establishing an early lead with Hannah Martin's (North Andover, MA/North Andover) three-point play at 9:00. The Bears maintained momentum throughout the first quarter, with Uta Nakamura (Manhattan, NY/Long Island Lutheran) hitting a three-pointer at 7:07 and contributing a key assist to Virginia Johnson's (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) trey at 1:20, extending the lead to 19-6. Union managed to close the gap slightly with a late three-pointer by Grace Ceseretti at 0:42. However, Smith's consistent scoring, including a final layup by Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) with 22 seconds remaining, secured a 21-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Smith maintained its advantage with a balanced scoring effort and strong defensive plays. Mya Williams (Temple City, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) contributed with a layup at 9:19, assisted by Selam Maher (St.Louis Park, MN/St. Louis Park), to keep the pressure on the Garnet Chargers. Johnson was instrumental, scoring a three-pointer at 6:18 and later adding a jumper and a fast-break layup to extend Smith's advantage. Union's attempts to close the gap included a three-pointer and free throw by Kate Peek at 8:48 and steady efforts from Jelena Perovic and Olivia Cunningham, who both scored inside the paint. Despite scoring evenly at 16 points each in the quarter, the Bears entered the next period with a 37-25 advantage.

Smith maintained their lead over Union in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 21-20. Nakamura got things going with a layup at 8:35 and later assisting Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) for a fast-break basket at 7:23. Martin was active throughout, adding a layup at 7:03 and going 2-for-2 from the free-throw line at 5:32. Union kept the pressure with Grace Ardito hitting two three-pointers, the second at 3:38, but Smith's consistent scoring and defensive efforts, highlighted by Johnson's block, kept the home team ahead. Nakamura capped the quarter with a free throw, extending Smith's advantage to 58-45.

Smith maintained its strong performance in the fourth quarter, securing a decisive victory over the Garnet Chargers with a final quarter score of 15-10. Felicia Fongemie (Ashford, CT/Marianapolis Prep) opened the scoring with a layup, contributing to a lead that extended to as much as 18 points at the 7:45 mark. Nakamura's effective play was highlighted with key baskets at 8:48 and 1:11, further solidifying Smith's lead. Grace Ceseretti attempted to close the gap for Union with a layup at 3:53, but the Bears' defensive efforts ensured the win.

Smith Top Performers
Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover)  
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- 21 points  
- 8/12 field goals made  
- 5/5 free throws made  
- 3 steals  

Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest)  
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- 12 points  
- 14 rebounds  
- 2 blocks  

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

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

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