Women win seventh straight for first time in 12 seasons, remain unbeaten in league play with 73-49 victory against Smith

January 19, 2008

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to seven games for the first time since 1995-96 following its 73-49 victory over Smith College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action Saturday afternoon in Emerson Gymnasium.

Wheaton, which improved to 4-0 in league play in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history, is now 11-4 overall. The Lyons also won their 11th in a row at Emerson Gym, their longest home win streak since 1994-95 through 1995-96. The Pioneers fell to 3-10 and 1-3.

Junior Bri Smith (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) and sophomore Andrea Bailey (Needham, MA/Needham) gave the hosts an early 6-0 lead on a couple of quick three-pointers by the 18:50 mark. Bailey and Smith combined to score 15 of Wheaton's opening 17 points as the Blue and White forged a 17-4 lead. With the Lyons holding a 24-15 advantage midway through the period, sophomore Ida Kruse (Vershire, VT/Rivendell Academy) scored eight straight on a pair of conventional three-point plays and a jumper over 1:38. Wheaton's lead grew to as many as 21 before taking a commanding 40-21 advantage into the locker room.

Bailey and Kruse combined to make all nine of their first-half shots for 23 points, as Wheaton made 55.2 percent of its shots, including going 5-of-7 from three-point range. The Lyons held the Pioneers to just 28.0 percent from the field. Sophomore Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark/Falkonergaardens) paced Smith with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

Wheaton had the first of two 24-point leads at 52-28 with 13 minutes remaining, and the Lyons led by no fewer than 18 the rest of the way. The Blue and White finished shooting 51.8 percent from the floor, 42.1 percent from three-point territory and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. Smith made 41.7 percent of its second-half buckets to finish at 34.7 percent.

Kruse led four Wheaton double-figure scorers with 13 points and three steals, while Bailey had 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Senior Becky Aitchison (Norwalk, CT/Trinity Catholic) and sophomore Jenny Champney (Bedford, MA/Bedford) accounted for 10 points apiece. Aitchison added five assists and three steals, while Champney grabbed five rebounds.

Schelde led all scorers with 17 points to go along with six rebounds. Senior Ashley Sutton (Greenfield, MA/Mohawk Trail Regional) turned in 10 second-half points to finish with 12.

The Lyons complete their four-game homestand on Tuesday with their final non-league game of the year against national power Tufts University at 7:00 p.m. The Jumbos are ranked 14th in both national polls.

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