Colleges: Smith women’s basketball captures 20th victory in rout of Coast Guard

Staff Reports

Published: 02-05-2023 9:13 PM

Morgan Morrison went for 18 points and eight rebounds, and the Smith College women’s basketball team used a 13-5 run to end the second quarter en route to a convincing 86-57 win over Coast Guard in a NEWMAC contest on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

The Pioneers, which have won 14 straight games, improved to 20-1 overall and 6-0 in the NEWMAC.

A pair of free throws by Westhampton’s Katelyn Pickunka sparked a 16-6 first-quarter run as Smith entered the second quarter with a 27-16 lead.

The Pioneers’ lead grew to 24 points thanks to back-to-back buckets from Ella Sylvester, and the hosts led 51-27 at halftime.

Jessie Ruffner shot 6-of-8 from the field with two 3-pointers to finish with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Dashelle Gleissner dished out seven assists.

The Pioneers, which secured their fifth consecutive 20-win season, shot 48.6-percent from the floor, and held a 36-32 edge in rebounds.

Smith takes to the road on Wednesday night for a game at Springfield College.

Clark 100, Mount Holyoke 29 – After a tight opening quarter, host Clark outscored the Lyons by an 82-16 margin over the final three periods to earn a win on Saturday in Worcester.

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Marley Berano led Mount Holyoke (2-20) in scoring for the fourth straight game, with 10 points, and Taryn White led the Lyons in rebounding for the fourth straight outing with seven boards. Alex Twomey finished with four points and five rebounds.

Mount Holyoke next hosts MIT on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Women’s hockey

Colby 5, Amherst 4 – For just the second time all season, the Mammoths dropped a game on Saturday, as a furious comeback fell just short in a 5-4 loss to Colby in Waterville, Maine.

Amherst’s program-record 18-game winning streak came to an end, as the No. 3-ranked Mammoths dropped to 19-2 overall, 12-2 in NESCAC play.

Amherst trailed 3-0 after one period and 5-1 after two, but rallied with three goals in the final stanza to tighten things up.

Trailing 5-1, Avery Flynn scored off helpers from Rylee Glennon and Anna Bater. Less than five minutes later, Kate Pohl scored, and with 7:23 remaining, Leslie Schwartz made it 5-4 when she scored. Amherst was unable to find the equalizer, as the Mules held on.

Amherst will have nine days off before traveling to play at Suffolk on Feb. 13.

Men’s hockey

Amherst 2, Colby 1, OT – Matt Toporowski's goal with 51 seconds left in overtime Saturday lifted the Mammoths past Colby, 2-1, at Orr Rink in Amherst.

It was Toporowski’s third overtime-winning goal of the season, as Amherst improved to 13-4-3 overall, 11-2-1 in NESCAC play.

Josh Burke also tallied for the Mammoths, scoring off a Colby player’s skate, to tie the game 1-1 in the second period. Amherst goalie Dan Dachille finished with 24 saves.

Next up, Amherst hosts Tufts on Friday at 7 p.m.

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