Basketball Completes Sweep of Smith, 56-52

Game Statistics

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (Feb. 14, 2009) – Using a balanced scoring attack, the Mount Holyoke College women’s basketball team held on to defeat New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) rival Smith College 56-52 this afternoon at the Ainsworth Gymnasium. It was the Lyons second win over the Pioneers this season and third straight overall.

Three players reached double digits in the scoring column for Mount Holyoke, which made 38.0% (19-50) of its shots from the field and outrebounded Smith 37-35. The Lyons performed well at the free throw line, draining 73.9% (17-23) of their attempts. Leading the way was senior guard Katie Austen, who delivered 11 points and nine rebounds along with a game best five assists. Junior guard Erin Cain totaled 13 points and seven boards, while classmate Kate Shafir added 12 points and five rebounds.

Sophomore guard Jessica Welk tallied 13 points off the bench to pace Smith. Senior forward Courtney Parker recorded eight points, ten boards and three blocks, while junior Berit Schelde and sophomore Anna Veltri chipped in with nine points apiece. The Pioneers were limited to just 36.0% (18-50) shooting from the floor. They made 75.0% (15-20) of their attempts from the charity stripe.

Mount Holyoke trailed 18-12 in the early going but registered 12 off the next 14 points to open up a 24-20 edge with just over eight minutes left in the opening frame. Smith responded with a 5-0 run of its own to regain the lead, but the Lyons closed out the half with four straight points and took a 28-25 advantage into the locker room. Cain led all scorers with nine points at the break. Welk had seven for the hosts.

Over the first seven minutes of the second stanza, no more than five points separated the teams. Mount Holyoke seemingly took control of things with a 10-2 run over a five minute span in the middle of the half. A jumper by Cain put the Lyons in front 46-36 at the 8:50 mark.

Refusing to go away, Smith (8-14, 2-9 NEWMAC) erupted for 12 straight points over the next three minutes. Junior guard Valerie Driscoll’s jumper gave the Pioneers a 48-46 edge with 5:37 remaining in regulation.

With the game in the balance, Mount Holyoke provided the knockout blow. The Lyons countered with an 8-0 rally of their own to put things away. They went 8-of-12 from the free throw line down the stretch and finished the game on a 10-4 run.

Austen and Shafir accounted for nine and eight points, respectively, in the second half. Welk netted six for Smith.

Mount Holyoke (7-16, 4-7 NEWMAC) will round out its home slate on Wednesday, when it hosts the Coast Guard Academy for a NEWMAC tilt beginning at 7:00 p.m. During the game, players will be wearing pink shoelaces in order to support the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) “Pink Zone” initiative. Donations to the WBCA Cancer fund will be taken throughout the night, and fans are encouraged to wear pink clothing.