Worcester, Mass. - The visiting Smith College
Pioneers used 51 percent second half shooting to break open a
six-point halftime lead and snap a ten-game losing streak to host
Clark, rolling to a 74-57 win in New England Women's and Men's
Athletic Conference women's basketball action at the Kneller
Athletic Center on Wednesday night.
The win for Smith was their fourth straight as they improved to 8-4
on the season, while the Cougars, who have now lost three straight,
and seven of their last eight, slip to 3-11 overall.
The ten-game stretch for Smith dated back to the 2004-05 season and
saw them lose by an average of 17 points per game.
The Pioneers came out of the gate strong, racing to a 9-0 lead in
the first four minutes of the game before Clark settled down and
eventually got as close as 18-17 following a steal and fast break
finish from sophomore Ivori Aiken (Harlem, N.Y.).
The Cougars never got over the hump however and Smith took a 33-27
halftime lead, thanks in part to forcing 15 Clark first-half
turnovers.
Things could've been a lot worse for the Cougars if not for the
play of Aiken and freshman Kelsey Johnston
(Shirley, Mass.) That duo combined to shoot 7-for-11 in the opening
stanza and score 20 of Clark's 27 first half points, while the
other 11 Cougars who played in the first half collectively
registered seven on 4-fo-11 shooting.
The Pioneer lead stood at 53-43 midway through the second half
following an inside finish from Clark freshman Kelsey Giedymin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) but Smith scored 16 of the
game's next 23 points to take a commanding 69-50 lead with 1:48
left.
Although the Cougars picked up their shooting in the second half to
finish the game connecting on 43 percent of their attempts
(19-for-44), they struggled from behind the arc, going
3-for-13.
Smith, meanwhile, converted Clark's 25 turnovers into 21 points and
had 18 assists on their 28 baskets.
The Pioneers were paced by freshman Elizabeth BelBruno and senior
Berit Schelde, who each registered a game-high 14 points. Also in
double figures for Smith was Daron Dean, who totaled 12 points,
five rebounds and six assists.
For the Cougars, sophomore Kate Minister
(Manchester, England) scored 11 of her team-high 13 points in the
second half, while both Johnston (12 points, four rebounds) and
Aiken (11 points, two rebounds) joined her in double figures.
Jillian Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.) added eight
points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Clark, now 2-5 in NEWMAC play, returns to the hardwood on Saturday
when they face Springfield at 1:00 p.m., while Smith hosts Wheaton
on Saturday as well.
