Athletics News and Press Releases

January 14, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joy Zazzera
(413) 585-3076

Smith Basketball Falls to Nationally Ranked Clark University 56-79

Northampton, MA: The Smith Pioneers made a valiant effort this afternoon jumping out to a 12-8 lead early in the first half against nationally ranked (22) Clark University, but the Cougars of Clark gained the momentum and knocked the Pioneers off of their game to hand Smith their third straight NEWMAC loss of the season 79-56.

The Pioneers took the early advantage during the first five minutes of play as sophomore Jennifer Daley (Le, MA) knocked down the first two Smith buckets just after senior Shelley Harrison (Reston, VA) blocked two Clark field goal attempts. First year Sara Posnak (Coral Gables, FL) gave her team the 8-4 lead when she converted on a jumper off a pass from Daley at 16:23. Junior Nati Lenchner (Azor, Isreal) maintained Smith’s four point lead with a beautiful drive through the paint, splitting the defense to go up 12-8 before the momentum would swing in Clark’s favor. Kristen Healey (Brookline, MA) brought Clark within one of the lead 12-11, on a three-point bucket at 11:05. Seconds later Clark’s Ashley Auclair (Williamsburg, MA) hit a jumper to give the Cougars the 13-12 lead. Smith managed to remain on Clark’s heals for the next four minutes, with junior Helena Charron’s (Pittsfield, NH) bucket at 3:53 keeping her team in the game 18-22, but the Cougars quickly built a sizeable lead on Smith draining two treys, a field goal and free throw to head into the second half leading 31-18.

Clark opened up the second half with a three-point basket by Katie McCloskey (Wilbraham, MA) with the Cougars maintaining control of the game for the rest of the second half. Smith would get as close as within 12 of the lead but in the end couldn’t contain the Cougars’ offense which finished with 79 points to the Pioneer’s 56.

Lenchner led the way for the Pioneers with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Harrision followed with a double-double effort, 10 points and 10 rebounds. First year Rose Baldwin (S.Strafford, VT) chipped in with 9 points and Jennifer Daley with 8. Clark’s Ashley Auclair led all scorers with 19 points.

Smith will look for their first NEWMAC win when they travel to rival Mount Holyoke College on Tuesday for a 7 pm match-up.

    1       2   F
Smith (5-8)        18    38    56
Clark (11-2)      31    48    79

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