Wellesley Basketball Falls to Smith in Defensive Battle

For Immediate Release
January 22, 2011
Wellesley Sports Information

Wellesley Basketball Falls to Smith in Defensive Battle

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Smith College used a solid defensive showing and a strong bench performance to upend Wellesley College 44-35 on Saturday afternoon at Keohane Sports Center. The win lifts the Pioneers to 9-6 overall, 6-3 in NEWMAC competition. The Blue drop to 8-8 on the season, 5-5 in the conference.

Smith held the Blue to just 29% from the floor for the game, while forcing 30 turnovers.  Wellesley's defense was nearly as good, holding the Pioneers to 34% shooting while causing 30 turnovers.  But Smith's bench strength broke the stalemate, as Ashani Petrizzi's nine points proved to be the difference in the game.

The first half was marked with particularly tight defense and cold shooting from both teams until Smith used a late 7-2 surge to take an 18-16 lead at the break. In the opening minutes of the second half, the squads traded buckets before a running jumper from Smith's Amanda Zakoske gave the visitors a 23-18 lead at the 13-minute mark. The Pioneers followed with five straight points from Petrizzi to grab a 28-19 advantage.

The Blue gradually fought back, trimming the lead to 33-28 on a Becca Kimball layup with 2:50 remaining, and 30 seconds later Wellesley cut the lead to 35-31.  But Smith responded with six straight to seal the game, as they cruised to the 44-35 win.

In addition to Petrizzi's nine points and five rebounds, Smith received strong outings from Rosa Drummond, with 10 points and six rebounds, and Zakoske, with seven points.  Marissa Munoz-Ruiz tallied seven steals and seven boards in the game.

For the Blue, Kimball tallied 13 points and six steals.  Leslie Leong scored eight while also grabbing eight rebounds.  Malia Maier accounted for 10 boards, seven points, and five takeaways.

Both teams return to action Wednesday, January 26, at 7pm, when Wellesley plays at Clark and Smith travels to Wheaton.