February 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Springfield Defeats Smith Basketball, 74-42

Northampton, MA: The Pride of Springfield had four players in double figures this evening as they defeated Smith 74-42 in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest. With the victory, Springfield improved to 14-10 overall and 9-3 in the NEWMAC while the Pioneers fell to 8-15 overall and 2-10 in conference play.

The Pride got off to an early lead in the first half and held a five point lead (12-7) with 14:46 remaining.  Springfield then outscored Smith14-0 over the next seven minutes and increased its lead to 15 to take an 33-18 advantage into the half. Sophomore guard Rachelle Walker (Lee, MA) scored 9 of her 11 points in the first half and senior Liz Brosseau (Franklin, MA) added 8 of her 12 points to lead the Pride.

The Pride, who shot 44% from the floor in the first half, shot 63% in the second half as the team put the game out of reach for Smith. Senior Lauren O'Connor (Valhalla, NY) led all scorers with 13 points for Springfield while Brosseau chipped in with a dozen, Walker 11 and Corey Finch (Hanover, PA) 10.

Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark) had a team high 9 points for the Pioneers while Lisa Marie Vuono (Lyndhurst, NJ) and Sarah Posnak (Miami, FL) each added 8.  Senior Courtney Parker (Ocean City, MD) had a game high 9 rebounds in the loss for Smith.

The Pioneers travel to Wellesley College on Saturday, February 21 for a 2 p.m. contest while Coast Guard visits Springfield at 1 p.m.