Women's Basketball Opens Season with 59-40 Loss at Smith

Northampton, Mass. - The Smith College women's basketball team held Framingham State University to 18% shooting in the second half as they opened their season with a 59-40 win in the season opening Tyler Tip-Off.

Sophomore Lizzy BelBruno led the way for Smith (1-0) with 15 points on 6-11 shooting, while Marissa Munoz-Ruiz made her collegiate debut picking up 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

BelBruno singlehandedly rallied the Pioneers from an early 4-0 deficit, scoring eight consecutive points with a pair of triples and a layup that gave Smith an 8-6 lead.  The Rams (0-1) tied the game at 14 on consecutive three pointers from Jill Johnson (Mansfield, Mass.), but Smith took the lead for good on a free throw by Rosa Drummond and a layup by Amanda Zakoske that boosted the Pioneers' advantage to 17-14. 

BelBruno then fed Munoz-Ruiz for a fast-break layup that started a 6-0 run from the first-year guard that gave Smith a 25-16 lead.  After Drummond drained a jumper with 2:27 left in the first half, Munoz-Ruiz finished another fast break that gave the Pioneers a 33-26 lead going into halftime.

The Pioneers then turned on the defense, holding the Rams to just 14 second half points including holding them scoreless over the final 3:24.

Drummond's three from the left wing lifted the lead to double digits at 49-39, and the Pioneers closed out the game on a 13-1 run, capped by a jumper and a pair of free throws from Sydney Parkmond.

Zakoske joined BelBruno and Munoz-Ruiz in double figures with 11 points, and tied for the team lead with six rebounds.  Ellie Giles and Drummond also grabbed six boards apiece.  Sophomore forward Kia Minor Edgartown, Mass.) led the Rams with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Smith will take on Westfield State University in their next contest, facing the Owls on the road on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., while the Rams host Coast Guard on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

Release courtesy of Smith Sports Information.