November 22, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Williamson
(413) 585-2703

Basketball Defeats Agnes Scott, 64-51, at Seven Sisters Classic

Northampton, MA: With an outstanding defensive effort in the first-half--holding Agnes Scott to only 14 points--the Smith College basketball team defeated the Scotties 64-51 in the first day of competition at the Seven Sisters Classic. With the win the Pioneers improve to 2-1 on the season, while Agnes Scott falls to 2-1.

Scoring for the Pioneers was shared by a handful of individuals with four players in double digits. Meredith Murelli '09 (Litchfield, CT) led Smith with 14 points 10 rebounds and 2 steals. Anna Veltri '11 (W. Milford, NJ) put up 12 points to go along with her 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Also scoring 12 points for Smith was Berit Schelde '10 (Holsteboro, Denmark) who added 3 boards. Courtney Parker '09 (Ocean City, MD) led all players in rebounds with 14.   

However, it was the relentless defense and hustle to out rebound Agnes Scott that earned the Pioneers the win tonight. With 18 steals on the game--Veltri's 5, Megan Keifer '10 (Oak Park, IL) with 4, Jessica Welk '11 (W.Milford, NJ) and Lisa Marie Vuoni '10 (Lyndhurst, NJ) with 2, and a handful of Pioneers with 1--and the 57-43 advantage on the boards (30 offensive; 27 defensive), Smith was able to weather the storm of the Scottie's second-half comeback after being up eighteen points, 32-14, at the half. Jennifer Russi (Lake Mary, FL) scored 11 of Agnes Scotts' first 13 points of the half, most of which came off three-pointers. The Pioneers remained composed. A lay-up by Veltri with 4:54 left in the game put Smith up by ten points, 49-39, and they never looked back.  

Smith basketball will face Bryn Mawr tomorrow afternoon at 12 pm at Vassar College following Wellesley vs. Agnes Scott at 10 am.