NORTON, Mass. - Led by 22 points from senior co-captain Alyssa Barrett (Berlin, Conn./Berlin), a furious comeback fell short as Smith College dropped a 74-70 decision to Wheaton (Mass.) College Saturday afternoon.

Barrett was one of three Pioneers to score in double figures. She was joined by first-yearMeghan Holland (Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Prepatory) with 18 points and classmateSamantha Alakai (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School) with 14 points.

Smith trailed by 12 points midway through the second half. The Pioneers battled back and had the contest within a single possession with 27 seconds to play.

Wheaton (11-5 overall, 7-1 NEWMAC) saw their six point first half lead disappear before a layup by Kirsten Ferrari ran the lead to 28-23 with 3:44 left in the first half.

The Pioneers (5-10 overall, 2-6 NEWMAC) battled back to tie the contest at 28-28 after a layup by Alakai and a three-pointer by Barrett. A free throw by senior co-captain Lauren Weston(Florence, Mass./Northampton) sent the two teams to the locker room tied at the intermission.

Barrett made four of her six three-pointers in the second half and helped give the Pioneers a chance.

Wheaton parlayed a 13-0 run to start the second half into a 42-29 lead with 15:24 left in the contest.

The Pioneers stormed back with the game's next nine points to cut it to 42-38 on jumper by first-year Paige Marquez (San Francisco, Calif./Saint Ignatius College Preparatory).

Smith fell back down 11 points at 53-42 with 6:02 left. However, a pair of critical treys by Barrett and Holland gave the Blue and Gold a chance. Wheaton hit enough free throws to seal the conference win.

For the contest, the Lyons hit 25-of-57 shots from the field (43.9 percent), just 1-of-9 shots from 3-point range (11.1 percent) and 23-of-35 shots from the foul line (65.7 percent). The Pioneers hit 28-of-69 shots from the field (40.6 percent), 11-of-30 shots from 3-point range (36.7 percent) and 3-of-7 shots from the foul line (42.9 percent).

Wheaton held a 43-40 rebounding advantage. The Pioneers had 19 assists and 15 turnovers, while the Lyons had 18 assists and 14 turnovers.

Smith finished with a season-high 11 three-points baskets, including a 6-of-9 night from long range by Barrett. Holland added three steals and two assists in 35 minutes of play. First-yearAmanda Barriscale (Mill Valley, Calif./Tamalpais) added a team-high seven rebounds.

Wheaton travels to MIT on Wednesday, January 21 for a conference clash at 6 p.m. Smith visits Middlebury next Tuesday for a non-conference tilt at 7 p.m.