Women’s basketball: Smith College locks down late, holds off WPI 82-78 (PHOTOS)

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) sinks a jumper over WPI defender Adrianna Niles (12) in the second quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) sinks a jumper over WPI defender Adrianna Niles (12) in the second quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Jessie Ruffner (14) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Jessie Ruffner (14) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College forward Sofia Rosa (15) goes in for a layup against WPI in the second quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College forward Sofia Rosa (15) goes in for a layup against WPI in the second quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College forward Sofia Rosa (15) puts in a layup against WPI in the fourth quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College forward Sofia Rosa (15) puts in a layup against WPI in the fourth quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

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

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) puts up a shot in the paint against WPI in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) puts up a shot in the paint against WPI in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

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

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) hits a three-pointer against WPI in the fourth quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) hits a three-pointer against WPI in the fourth quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) goes up for a breakaway layup against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) goes up for a breakaway layup against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) puts in a breakaway layup against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) puts in a breakaway layup against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) drives the ball under pressure from WPI defender Emmy Allyn (34) in the second quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) drives the ball under pressure from WPI defender Emmy Allyn (34) in the second quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) drives the ball under pressure from WPI defender Emmy Allyn (34) in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) drives the ball under pressure from WPI defender Emmy Allyn (34) in the first quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) looks for an opening against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Ally Yamada (5) looks for an opening against WPI in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Jessie Ruffner (14) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI in the fourth quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Jessie Ruffner (14) drives to the hoop for a layup against WPI in the fourth quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) drives to the hoop past WPI defender Emmy Allyn (34) in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College guard Hannah Martin (22) drives to the hoop past WPI defender Emmy Allyn (34) in the third quarter Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College head coach Lynn Hersey huddles up with her team in the third quarter against WPI on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College head coach Lynn Hersey huddles up with her team in the third quarter against WPI on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College head coach Lynn Hersey talks with Jessie Ruffner in the third quarter against WPI on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College head coach Lynn Hersey talks with Jessie Ruffner in the third quarter against WPI on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Smith College head coach Lynn Hersey in the third quarter against WPI on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith College head coach Lynn Hersey in the third quarter against WPI on Saturday at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Staff Reports

Published: 01-14-2024 11:10 AM

Clutch baskets and timely defense down the stretch propelled the Smith College women’s basketball team to a wild 82-78 victory over WPI in the Pioneers’ NEWMAC opener on Saturday afternoon at Ainsworth Gymnasium in Northampton.

Smith improved to 12-2 overall, 1-0 in the NEWMAC, while WPI dropped to 8-7, 0-1.

WPI led 59-57 entering the fourth quarter, but the Pioneers took the lead for good with a Sofia Rosa layup with 4:38 remaining that made it 72-70.

Hannah Martin followed with a 3-pointer to make it 75-70, but WPI didn’t go away. The visitors cut the deficit to 79-78 after a bucket with 1:02 to play, but Smith held the Engineers off the board the rest of the way. Ally Yamada made a layup with 42 seconds left, and Jessie Ruffner’s free throw with 14 seconds to go made it a two-possession game and ultimately sealed the deal.

Four Pioneers scored in double figures in the win, led by Yamada’s 21 points. Martin (16 points, six steals), Ruffner (14) and Sosa (12) also aided the offensive effort.

Smith, which won its fourth game in a row, next travels to Babson on Wednesday night.