January 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Basketball Falls 73-49 to Wheaton

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers fell 73-49 to Wheaton College (11-4, 4-0) this afternoon in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) competition. With the loss, Smith fell to 3-10 overall and 1-3 in conference action.

The Lyons outscored the Pioneers 24-13 in the opening ten minutes of play and extended their lead to nineteen (40-21) at the half on a outstanding shooting performance hitting 16-for- 29 (.55%). Although sophomore Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark) had fourteen points at the half for Smith, the Pioneers struggled offensively with just a 28% shooting percentage.  The Pioneers improved their performance in the second half (42%) but Wheaton's lead proved too much to overcome.

Schelde posted a game-high 17 points and teammate Ashley Sutton (Greenfield, MA) added a dozen in the loss for the Pioneers.  Wheaton had four players in double figures led by Ida Kruse (Vershire, VT) with 13, Andrea Bailey (Needham, MA) 12, and Becky Aitchison (Norwalk CT) and Jenny Champney (Bedford, MA) with 10 each.

The Pioneers will host NEWMAC rival Springfield College on Wednesday, January 23rd at 7 pm in Ainsworth Gym.