January 27, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 Smith Basketball Defeats Wellesley 57-55

Northampton, MA:  First year Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark) and sophomore Rosie Baldwin (South Strafford, VT) combined for 28 points as the Pioneers pulled out a come-from-behind 57-55 victory against NEWMAC rival Wellesley College 57-55 this afternoon in Ainsworth Gym. The win was the second of the season for Smith and first in NEWMAC competition (2-16, 1-7) while the Blue of Wellesley fell to 4-13 and 1-7.

             Wellesley got off to an early 7-0 start to open the game but Smith responded to tie it at 9. The teams exchanged hoops in the next nine minutes with the “Blue” never building more than a six point lead. With 3:39 remaining in the half, the Pioneers took the 29-28 lead on a jumper by Baldwin and held Wellesley scoreless for the remaining minutes.  Senior Helena Charron (Portland, ME) made it 31-28 and Schelde tallied the next four to give the Pioneers a 35-28 advantage at the half.

             Turnovers and poor shooting plagued Smith in the second half that allowed Wellesley to close within one at the 12:10 mark and take a five point (46-41) lead with 8 minutes remaining. Sophomore Sarah Posnak (Miami, FL) closed the gap with a three-pointer and the team exchanged baskets until two minutes were left in regulation and Smith took a 53-52 lead on a three-pointer by Baldwin. Posnak scored two and Lisa Marie Vuono (Lyndhurst, NJ) sank two free throws to put the Pioneers up by five with 0:46 left.  Wellesley’s Jessica Duff (Milton, UK) responded with two of her team high 16 points and followed with a free throw to bring the “Blue” within two, but Smith held on for the win.

             Schelde scored a team high 16 points for Smith with Baldwin adding a dozen. Courtney Parker (Ocean City, MD) and Vuono each pulled down 7 rebounds in the win for Smith.  Duff tallied a team high 16 points and game high 15 rebounds in the loss while Courtney Richter (Sinking Spring, PA) added twelve points.

             Smith hosts NEWMAC rival Coast Guard on Wednesday, January 31 at 7 p.m. while Wellesley hosts Wheaton on the same date and time.