Women's Basketball Falls To Smith, 56-40
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO SMITH, 56-40
CHICOPEE, MA, Nov. 25, 2008 - Elms College junior forward Amanda Brogna (Oxford, MA) netted a game-high 16 points, but Smith College junior guard Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark) scored 14 points as the Pioneers placed three players in double figures en route to a 56-40 win over the Blazers in Tuesday night's non-conference women's basketball game at the Maguire Center.
With the victory, Smith improved to 4-1 overall, while Elms College remained winless at 0-5.
Brogna, who picked up two quick fouls in just three minutes of the first half, erupted for 14 of her points in the second half, including a pair of jumpers in the first 2:09 that pulled the Blazers to within 32-26.
Smith, though, answered with an 11-3 run to build what proved to be an insurmountable 43-29 lead with 11:16 remaining.
The Blazers were held to 9 of 44 shooting from the field (20.5-percent), including 4 of 24 in the first half.
After a layup by Brogna 91 seconds in gave the Blazers a 2-0 lead, Elms College was held without a field goal over the next 8:55 as Smith built a 14-6 advantage.
Junior guard Jessica Jurkowski (Belchertown, MA) drained a pair of 3-pointers to help key a 13-7 run over the next 4:56 that cut the Blazers' deficit to 21-19 with 4:38 remaining in the half.
Smith, however, answered with an 11-3 run over the final four minutes of the half to build a 32-22 lead at intermission.
The Blazers were limited to 16.7-percent shooting (4 for 24) in the opening half, but also played tough defensive, as Smith shot just 34.5-percent in the first half.
Jurkowski led all scorers with nine first half points, while Smith junior center Lisa Marie Vuono (Lyndhurst, NJ) dropped in seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Vuono finished with 11 points, while sophomore guard Anna Veltri (West Milford, NJ) added 10 points to also reach double figures for the Pioneers in the victory.
Jurkowski finished with nine points for the Blazers in the loss.