NORTHAMPTON - The Smith College basketball team continued its strong start to the 2022 campaign as it overcame a slow start for a 66-55 win over Eastern Connecticut State University in non-conference play in Ainsworth Gymnasium on Thursday night. 

The Pioneers, ranked No. 6 in the country in this week's D3hoops.com National Poll, have now won 23-straight home games and improves to 6-0 on the year. The Warriors slipped to 4-3.

Game Highlights

• ECSU earned an early 9-2 lead just over four minutes into the contest after a layup by Julie Keckler, only have the Pioneers come within 15-12 on Dashelle Gleissner's (Los Angeles, Calif./Serra) bucket as time expired at the end of the first
• With the Warriors ahead 21-15 minutes into the second, a jumper by Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin)and back-to-back three-pointers from Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, Calif./Fairmont Prep Academy) gave Smith its first lead of the game, 23-21 with 6:25 on the clock
• A 4-0 run to end the half made the score 32-25 in favor of the Pioneers at the break
• Smith's advantage grew to 38-30 with 6:32 left, however a pair of made free throws by Taylor Salato put the Warriors back on top, 41-40
• Another Yamada trey at the end of the quarter gave Smith a six-point cushion, 47-41, heading into the final period
• Smith was able to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the fourth and Gleissner's three with 1:43 secured the 66-55 victory

Inside the Numbers

• Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, Calif./Fairmont Prep Academy) provided a spark off the bench, scoring a game-high 16 points with four treys
• Morgan Morrison (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day) finished with 15 points and three rebounds, while Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) added 14 points and grabbed six boards
• The Pioneers shot 41.0% (25-of-61) from the floor, 35.3% (6-of-17) from three-point range, and 76.9% (10-of-13) from the free throw line
• The Warriors shot 53.7% (22-of-41) from the field, 25% (1-of-4) from behind the arc and 90.9% (10-of-11) at the charity stripe

Up Next
Smith will hit the road for a matchup against Framingham State on Saturday, December 3 at 12:00pm.

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.