NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Ten different players notched at least two points in Smith basketball's 68-44 win over Clark University in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action Monday night.

With the win, the Pioneers improve to 8-15 and 4-10 in conference play, while the Cougars slip to 5-18 and 2-12 in the NEWMAC.

Smith was paced by first-year forward Samantha Alakai (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School), who scored a game-high 16 points, a game-best four steals to go along with three rebounds. Classmate and fellow forward Amanda Barriscale (Mill Valley, Calif./Tamalpais) notched her third double-double of the season, tallying 11 points and 11 rebounds, while first-year guardPaige Marquez (San Francisco, Calif./Saint Ignatius College Preparatory) added 14 points and pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.

For Clark, sophomore guard Aretha Sullivan (Worcester, Mass.) posted 12 points and three helpers. First-year guard Sam O'Gara (Worcester, Mass.) added 11 points, two assists and two steals, while junior forward Sami Dokus (Littleton, Mass.) chipped seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.

The Pioneers put the defensive pressure on the Cougars early in the first half, holding Clark to just six field goals through the opening 20 minutes en route to a 34-14 lead at the break. The Pioneers never trailed in the contest, as sophomore guard Jade Chihara (Lahaina, Hawaii/Lahainaluna) knocked down a jumper off the opening tip-off and Smith was off and running.

The Cougars battled back with a 9-1 run to open the second half, highlighted by a three from junior guard Brooke Brennan (Weston, Mass), that cut Smith's advantage down to 12 (35-23) with 15:50 to play. The Pioneers rebounded quickly, building their lead back up to 19 (47-28) when Barriscale converted an and-one with 10:27 remaining.

Smith continued to capitalize on the Cougars' turnovers throughout the remainder of the second half as Barriscale paced the way with nine of her 11 points in the second stanza.

Both teams return to the court on Wednesday as Clark travels to the Coast Guard Academy (7 p.m.), while Smith hosts WPI for Senior Night at 7 p.m.