Smith Tops MIT in Season Finale

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MIT women’s basketball team was defeated by Smith College, 55-35, in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday. The Engineers finished the year with an overall record of 5-19 and a 3-15 mark in league play.

The Pioneers raced out to an 18-5 advantage with 7:57 left in the opening frame. The Cardinal and Gray responded with an 18-3 run as a three-pointer by Aparna Sud gave the Engineers a 23-21 lead with 1:49 on the clock. A basket and a free throw later on put Smith in front, 24-23, at the intermission.

MIT stayed close early in the second half with Lauren Sascha Burton’s jumper narrowing the gap to one (28-27) at the 17:25 mark. The Pioneers countered with nine unanswered points during the next five minutes to gain some breathing room. A free throw by Stephanie Cooke and a basket from Kristen Whaley returned the Engineers’ deficit to single digits (39-30) midway through the stanza. The Engineers would get no closer as they were outscored, 16-5, down the stretch.

Sud paced MIT with eight points as Burton compiled five points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Cooke notched seven points and three assists while Anna Merrifield registered six boards and four points. Whaley tallied six points, four caroms, and two assists as Sally Simpson chipped in five points.