Athletics News and Press Releases

November 19, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joy Zazzera
(413) 585-3076

Willamette University Outlast Smith Basketball 58-43

Portland, Ore: The Smith Pioneers will return to Northampton still seeking their first win of the season following tonight’s loss to the Bearcats of Willamette University (OR), 58-43, at the Bon Appetit Classic hosted by Lewis Clark College. Despite losing by 15, the Pioneers showed significant signs of improvement following Friday evenings’ 77-36 loss to Lewis & Clark.

Junior forward Helena Charron (Pittsfield, NH) scored the first two Pioneers buckets before sophomore forward Jen Daley’s (Lee, MA) layup at 16:25 gave Smith the early 6-4 lead. While Willamette scored the next 4 points, Smith outscored the Bearcats 8-3 during a five minute stretch which included buckets by senior forward Shelly Harrison (Reston, VA), first year forward Rose Baldwin (South Strafford, VT) and junior guard Nati Lenchner (Azor, Isreal) to capture the 14-11 lead at 10:30.

Momentum would swing in the Bearcats’ favor with a bucket by first year center Brittany Farrar (Medford, OR) followed by a three pointer scored by senior guard Jennifer Bell (Salem, OR) to give Willamette the 16-14 lead at 9:30.   But sophomore guard Ashley Sutton (Greenfield, MA) found Charron all alone on the far wing as Charron netted a three pointer to give the Pioneers the lead again, 17-16. After Willamette made good on two jumpers, Smith’s Sutton swished a short jumper at 7:05 to pull the Pioneers within one, 19-20. The Pioneers would remain scoreless as the Bearcats rattled in the next 10 points to mount the 30-19 lead before Lenchner’s steal and two free throws brought Smith within 9 with 28 seconds remaining in the first half.   Willamette scored the final bucket of the first stanza to take the 32-21 lead into the locker room at the half.   Smith outshot their opponent during the first 20 minutes of play, shooting 37.5% from the floor to Willamette’s 36.4%.

Lenchner opened the second half scoring for Smith on an unassisted jumper and Harrison’s lay in underneath cut the Bearcat’s lead to 7, 25-32 at 18:12. Smith would remain within reach as the teams traded buckets until a jumper by Willamette’s Bell at 13:20 gave the Bearcat’s 40 points to Smith’s 27. Charron swished another jumper at 12:43 to cut Willamette’s lead to 11 before Sutton found Daley underneath for two points bringing Smith within 9, 31-40.   Willamette made good on two jumpers and a three to push their lead to 47-31 with 11 minutes remaining in the game but Smith still put the pressure on their opponent when Harrison converted on a three point play, before finding Lenchner for a jumper at 6:01 to sustain Willamette’s lead at 12.   The Bearcat’s next five points came uncontested until sophomore center Sara Smyth (Brooklyn,
NY) drained the last 3 Pioneer buckets of the game to prevent Willamette from more than a 15 point margin of victory over the Pioneers.

Willamette’s Brittany Farrer led all scorer’s with 16 points. Charron led Smith in scoring with 11 points.   Lenchner tallied 8 points, and 5 steals, Harrison scored 7, grabbed 6 boards and added to her blocked shots total with 4 (8 for the tournament). Sutton, Smyth and first year forward Jessie Paul (Mercer Island, WA) grabbed 5 boards each for the Pioneers.

Smith will look to find the win column this Tuesday when they play their first home game of the season versus Elms College at 6 pm in Ainsworth Gym.

                             1     2      F
Willamette (1-1)    32    26    58
Smith (0-2)          21    22    43

3-pt: Smith: Charron; Willamette: Sara Brooks(2), Bell; Off. Rebounds: Smith-11; Willamette-11;Def. Rebounds: Smith-27; Willamette-28; Turnovers: Smith-21; Willamette-18; Steals: Smith-11; Willamette-8; FG %: Smith 34.0; Willamette 38.6; F Throw %: Smith 54.5; Willamette: 68.8

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