Smith College scored the first 12 points in the second quarter and the Pioneers went on to a 67-34 non-conference win against the Hamilton College Continentals at Smith's Ainsworth Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
 
Hamilton (8-9 overall) shot 14.5 percent from the field including 0 of 17 from 3-point range. The Continentals take on Wesleyan University in NESCAC action at home on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.
 
The Pioneers, who are members of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference, improved to 13-1. Smith received votes in this week's coaches and D3hoops.com polls. This was the first meeting between the Pioneers and Hamilton.
 
Emily Hall '24 paced the Continentals with nine points off the bench. Katie Hansen '24, another reserve, grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds and blocked three shots. Hamilton went 18-for-24 at the free-throw line.
 
Katelyn Pickunka helped lead Smith with 14 points and eight boards. Morgan Morrison chipped in 14 points in 18 minutes off the bench. Dashelle Gleissner handed out six assists and made six steals, and Kyra Rideout came up with three blocks. The Pioneers committed just 11 turnovers.
 
The Continentals took an early 6-2 lead on a layup by Kelcie Zarle '22, two free throws by Maria Mercado Rengel '24 and two more by Emma Sehring '23. Smith scored the next eight points, held a 12-11 edge at the end of the first quarter, and led the rest of the way.
 
The Pioneers started the second quarter with a 12-0 run as Hamilton didn't score for the first six-plus minutes, and didn't make a field goal until the final seconds. Smith enjoyed a 19-point cushion of 35-16 at the half. The score was 49-27 after three quarters and the Pioneers led by as many as 35 in the fourth.