December 9, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 
Middlebury Defeats Smith Basketball 54-43

 
Northampton, MA:  The Pioneers fell to 1-7 overall this afternoon with their 54-43 loss to non-conference opponent Middlebury College.  With the win, the Panthers improved to 7-2 overall.

             The Panthers took a 28-22 lead into halftime behind the shooting  of junior Katie Fisher (Oakland, CA) who scored nine of her game high 11 points in the first 20 minutes. Middlebury got an early lead in the opening minutes but the Pioneers chipped away to bring them within one point (20-21) with three minutes remaining.  Middlebury then went on a 7 – 2 run to close out the first half.

             The Pioneers struggled offensively in the second half scoring just four points in the first twelve minutes of play while Middlebury put up 16 more on the scoreboard. Smith went on a run of its own over the next six minutes outscoring the Panthers
16 to 6 to close the gap to eight 42-50.  Senior Helena Charron (Portland, ME) converted two baskets while teammate Sarah Posnak (Coral Gables, FL) sank a pair of three-pointers in the run. First year Lisa Marie Vuono (Lyndhurst, NJ) was the leading scorer for Smith with 10 points.

             Smith is in action again on Monday night at 7 p.m. when they host valley rival Amherst College.

                                         1          2         F
Smith (1-7)                        22         21        43
Middlebury (7-2)                 28         26        54