January 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Basketball Falls to Westfield State

Northampton, MA: Smith basketball fell 72-54 yesterday to Westfield State in a game postponed from mid-December. With the loss, the Pioneers fell to 2-7 overall while the Owls improved to 4-5.

The Owls, who had four players finish the game in double figures, took a 31-20 lead into the half connecting on 6 for 12 beyond the three-point arc. Andrea Wasuk and Lauren Sylvain each tallied 13 in the win for Westfield with Katie Sylvain adding a dozen and Peggy Steuerwald ten.

Although down by 26 points with 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Pioneers fought back and went on a 16-4 run to close within fourteen with six minutes remaining. The teams traded free throws down the stretch in the very physical second half with 41 free throws taken. Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark) led all scorers with a game high 17 points while teammate Meredith Murelli (Litchfield, CT) tallied a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pioneers begin NEWMAC action on Wednesday when they travel to MIT for a 6 p.m. contest.