Second Half Spurt Lifts Smith Over Mount Holyoke

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NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (Feb. 3, 2011) – First year center Rosa Drummond piled up game highs of 20 points and seven rebounds to boost the Smith College women's basketball team to a 56-46 victory over longtime rival Mount Holyoke College this evening at Ainsworth Gymnasium. With the win, the Pioneers completed the season sweep of the Lyons.


Mount Holyoke was paced by sophomore guard Angelica Pascual, who knocked down three shots from beyond the arc en route to 19 points. Junior forward Tricia Chase tallied 11 points, while senior guard Christine Chancy added six. The Lyons shot 40.9% (18-44) from the field.

Drummond was joined in double digits by classmate Sydney Parkmond, who finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. The Pioneers converted 48.0% (24-50) and outrebounded Mount Holyoke 33-28. They forced the Lyons into 21 turnovers.

Pascual sizzled out of the gate, scoring eight points in the first nine minutes. She put Mount Holyoke in front 17-8 with a layup at the 11:37 mark. Smith fought its way back into the contest with 10 straight points over the next three minutes. The Pioneers grabbed an 18-17 advantage on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Libby Dutton with 8:31 remaining in the opening period.

The teams then went back and forth for the remainder of the first half, exchanging leads five times. Mount Holyoke took a 28-27 edge into the locker room. Pascual led all scorers with 12 points at the break. Drummond and senior guard Jessica Welk had six apiece for the hosts.

Smith (10-9, 7-6 NEWMAC) gained control with a 14-2 explosion in the early stages of the second stanza. Drummond scored six points during the run, which spanned 4:50. A layup by sophomore forward Amanda Zakoske capped off the rally and put the Pioneers in front 41-32 at the 14:22 mark. They led by as many as 13 points on two occasions down the stretch. Drummond recorded 14 points after the intermission.

Mount Holyoke (5-14, 3-10 NEWMAC) will resume its NEWMAC slate on Saturday, when it hosts Clark University at 1:00 p.m.