BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Smith College women's basketball team closed the game on a 7-2 run to defeat Bowdoin, 59-54, Saturday afternoon on day two of the Coastal Classic at Morrell Gymnasium. The Pioneers improve to 4-0 on the season while the Polar Bears fall to 3-1.
 
Game Highlights

• Early hot shooting and strong defense propelled the Polar Bears to a 32-21 lead at halftime.
• Sydney Jones scored 12 first half points and Bowdoin held Smith to 27% shooting in the second quarter as Bowdoin also forced 13 turnovers to gain the double-digit lead at the break.
• The Pioneers rallied to shoot 61% from the field in the third quarter, outscoring Bowdoin 19-11 and closing the gap to 43-40 heading into the final period.
• Bowdoin opened up a 48-40 lead with a quick 5-0 spur to start the fourth period, but only scored six points in the final 7:30 as Smith chipped away.
• After Morgan Morrison tied the game with a free throw at 52-52 with 3:26 remaining but Megan Tan hit a layup to regain the advantage for the Polar Bears, 54-52, with 2:16 to go.
• Selam Maher hit a three-pointer for Smith to take the lead with 1:35 remaining and the Polar Bears couldn't answer, missing their final five shots as the Pioneers hung on to win.

By The Numbers

• Bowdoin ended at 35% shooting for the game while Smith shot 44%.
• The Pioneers had a 37-31 edge in rebounding and scored nine second chance points.
• Bowdoin's defense forced 20 turnovers and the Polar Bears cashed in for 19 points off the miscues.
• Sydney Jones led Bowdoin with 12 points while Megan Tan had nine.
• Morgan Morrison had 13 poins and eight rebounds while Jessie Ruffner had 17 points and eight boards.
• Morrison was named Classic MVP and was joined by Jessie Ruffner (Smith), Flannery O'Connor, (Framingham), Erianna Moore (Maine Maritime) and Sydney Jones (Bowdoin) on the All-Classic Team.

Up Next

• Bowdoin will return to action on Friday, December 2 at WPI (6:00 p.m.)