Wellesley Basketball Downs Smith, Heads to NEWMAC Championship

BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Third-seeded Wellesley College used a 47.3 percent effort from the field (26-for-55) and a commanding 50-37 rebounding advantage to stun second-seeded Smith College, 73-61, in the semifinals of the 2013 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Women's Basketball Tournament at Babson's Staake Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

With the victory, Wellesley (15-9) advances to Sunday's championship game, where the Blue will meet top-seeded Babson at 1 p.m. Wellesley is making its first trip to the NEWMAC title game since the 2001-02 season. Meanwhile, Smith (22-4), which entered the game ranked seventh in the region, suffered just its fourth loss of the year, and will await a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced on Monday.

Wellesley received 15 points and seven rebounds from sophomore Courtney Jackson, as well as 14 points, four  boards, and three assists from junior Leslie Leong. First-year Chelsi Scott and senior Ashleigh Sargent chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, while senior Malia Maier finished an outstanding all-around effort with seven points, five boards, six assists, and two blocks.

Smith was led by sophomore Paulina Solis, who netted a game-high 19 points to go with four assists. Senior Amanda Zakoske, junior Sydney Parkmond, and senior Devon Quattrocchi each added 11 points, with Zakoske pulling down a team-high seven rebounds. The Pioneers struggled from the field throughout the contest, shooting just 33.8 percent (23-for-68) from the field, including a 19.4 percent clip (6-for-31) from long range.

The first six minutes of the closely-contested first half saw Wellesley continually move in front, only to have Smith battle back to even the contest. The Blue finally gained some breathing room after a 10-1 run turned an 11-11 tie into a 21-12 lead exactly midway through the period. The Pioneers still trailed by as many as seven after a Scott layup made it 28-21 with 6:30 to go, but Smith embarked on a 12-0 burst to take its first lead of the contest, 33-28, with 2:54 on the clock. Wellesley then closed the session with a 7-2 run to even the score at 35-35 heading into the break.

The Blue never trailed in the second half, as Maier drained a three to snap a 37-37 deadlock and put her team in front to stay. The score remained close early on, however, with Wellesley clinging to a 44-42 advantage after two Solis free throws with 12:42 remaining. Jackson and Sargent then hit back-to-back jumpers to ignite a 14-3 run over the next seven-and-a-half minutes as the Blue expanded their lead to 58-45 with 5:05 left to play. Five different players scored during the decisive burst, with Leong leading the way with five points.

Smith pulled to within seven after a Solis three made it 68-61 with 53 seconds remaining, but Jackson and Leong combined to hit five of six free throws in the final minute to clinch the 73-61 victory.


Highlights from Wellesley's win over Smith