For Immediate Release
January 23, 2010
Wellesley Sports Information
Kimball's 30-Point Effort Not Enough as Wellesley Basketball Falls to Smith
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- Wellesley College first-year Becca Kimball (Weston, MA) recorded a 30-point, 13-rebound effort, but it wasn't enough as the visiting Blue fell to Smith, 66-61. The Pioneers now stand at 6-4 in the NEWMAC, with a 9-6 overall mark. Wellesley holds a 2-8 record in NEWMAC play while standing at 4-11 overall.
The Pioneers opened up the game with a quick 9-2 advantage, backed by six points from Daron Dean (Brush Prairie, WA). Wellesley battled back to tie the score at 10-10, with just under 12 minutes remaining in the period. The Blue then used a 10-3 run to go up by seven with six minutes left, but Smith chipped away and knotted the score at 30-30 at the break. The tight first-half featured 14 points fom Kimball and eight each from Smith's Dean and Berit Schelde (Holstebro, DENMARK).
Smith dominated play early in the second half, taking a 10-point lead with 11 minutes left in the game. Wellesley stayed close, however, eventually cutting the lead to three points at the 8:31 mark, as Robyn Burleson (Seattle, WA) nailed a three. Smith would allow the Blue to get no closer, as the Pioneers used solid free-throw shooting over the final minutes of the game to solidify the 66-61 victory.
Kimball's 30 points and 13 boards were game-highs in both categories, with the rookie also racking up four steals and two assists. Classmate Malia Maier (Torrance, CA) recorded a seven-assist, six-point effort, while Burlson notched 11 points for the Blue. .
For Smith, Schelde finished with 15 points, while Dean added 14. Ashani Petrizzi (Deerfield, MA) tallied 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win.
Smith is back in action at home on Wednesday evening, taking on WPI at 7:00pm. Wellesley will also play at home on Wednesday night, hosting Clark in a key NEWMAC match-up.