NORTHAMPTON - Senior Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) poured in a career-high 31 points leading the No. 11 Smith basketball team to a 66-63 come-from-behind win over No. 7 Trinity College Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers improve to 4-1 on the year, while the Bantams (4-1) suffer their first loss of the season. 

In a rematch of the 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball quarterfinals, the Pioneers overcame a 12 point deficit in the third quarter and outscored the Bantams 19-7 in the final period. Smith has won the last seven games over Trinity.

Inside the Numbers

• Ruffner's impressive performance came on 12-of-20 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and two assists
• Graduate student Sofia Rosa (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury) recorded her first double-double of the year with 13 points and 13 boards
• Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) and Jane Loo (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) each contributed seven points off the bench
• Smith shot 42.1% from the field (24-of-57), 9.1% (1-of-11) from three and 70.8% from the free throw line
• Trinity went 44.6% from the floor (25-of-56), 36.8% (7-of-19) from long distance and 60% (6-of-10) from the free throw line
• The Pioneers owned advantages in rebounding (33-28), points in the paint (34-32), and points off turnovers (13-10)

Game Highlights

• Samantha Slofkiss gave Trinity a 14-4 lead just over four minutes into the contest but Ruffner and Maggie Fleming () combined to score four points in the final 17 seconds to pull Smith within 19-14 after the first period.  
• A layup by Rosa trimmed the deficit to 19-16 at the 8:18 mark but Theresa Twardosky drilled a three-pointer with 2:51 remaining to go up 31-20. Ruffner went 1-of-2 from the free throw line with five seconds to go to send the two teams into halftime with Trinity leading 33-25. 
• The visitors had a 12 point lead multiple times in the third period but Loo scored Smith's final four points of the third to make it a 56-47 game going into the fourth
• Back-to-back three-point plays by Ruffner and Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, CA/Fairmont Prep Academy) midway through the fourth tied the game at 58 with 5:36 remaining in the contest. Ruffner gave Smith a lead they would not relinquish at 2:38 and added another jumper with 26 seconds on the clock to go ahead 64-60. Trinity stayed alive after an offensive rebound and bucket by Twardosky with 22 seconds left to make it 64-62. Ruffner and Yamada each knocked down free throws and the Bantams' last second three-pointer was off the mark. 

Up Next
Smith travels to Eastern Connecticut State on Thursday, November 30 at 6:00pm. 

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 and Instagram.