Local roundup: Balanced Smith College routs Clark, into NEWMAC semifinals

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI earlier this season at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI earlier this season at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Staff Reports

Published: 02-21-2024 9:43 PM

Modified: 02-21-2024 10:58 PM

Behind five players with double-digit points, the Smith College women’s basketball team cruised to a 95-40 victory over Clark in the quarterfinal round of the NEWMAC Tournament on Wednesday night at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Ally Yamada led the way with a game-high 18 points on 70 percent shooting from the field, including 4-for-5 from behind the arc. Amelia Clairmont added 11 points, while Ella Sylvester, Jessie Ruffner and Hannah Martin each scored 10 points in a balanced effort for the Pioneers.

Smith nailed 13 3-pointers on the day and went 5-for-5 in the first quarter. The Pioneers scored 20-plus points in each frame as they left no doubt on their home floor.

Eyeing another conference championship, Smith hosts MIT on Friday with a spot in the title game on the line. Tip-off at Ainsworth is set for 7 p.m.

Loyola Chicago 64, UMass 52 – The UMass women's basketball team was unable to get back in the win column on Wednesday. 

Loyola Chicago built a 33-22 halftime lead and held on in the second half to knock off UMass, 64-52, in Atlantic 10 action in Chicago.

The loss brings the Minutewomen's losing skid to 14 games. 

Sitori Tanin (18), Ali Berg (16) and Sam Galanopoulos (11) all finished in double figures for the Ramblers. 

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Stefanie Kulesza recorded 14 points and five rebounds, Kristin Williams finished with 11 points and four assists, Lilly Taulelei scored 10 points while Tori Hyduke added nine points in the loss for UMass (3-25). 

Loyola did its work on the boards, holding a 35-25 rebounding edge in the contest. 

Non-playoff games

Girls basketball

Hopkins Academy 42, Smith Academy 33 – Olivia Earle scored 13 points, while Morgan Augustin and Chloe Kosciusko each dropped 10 points to power the Golden Hawks to a victory on Wednesday.

Alexa Jagodzinski was Smith’s top scorer with 10 points.

Pathfinder 49, Smith Voc 35 — The Vikings erupted for 20 points in the first quarter to take a 20-16 lead, but went ice cold the rest of the way.

A 15-2 second-quarter discrepancy jolted Pathfinder ahead, a lead it would hold the rest of the way.

Boys hockey

Amherst 5, Agawam 0 — Skyler Ferro netted two goals while Liam Flynn, Grahm Arguin and Ben Remensnyder each tallied one as well to round out the Hurricanes’ scoring.

Seven different players recorded assists, while Spencer McDonald (38 saves) earned the shutout win between the pipes.