Salve Regina graduate student Lauryn Becker driving past Kyra Rideout in second half action of season opener. (Photo by Rob McGuinness)
Salve Regina graduate student Lauryn Becker driving past Kyra Rideout in second half action of season opener. (Photo by Rob McGuinness)

Pioneers ride 54-point first half for an 84-43 final

NEWPORT, R.I. (November 13, 2019) - Sophomore Kaitlyn Pickunka (Westhampton, Mass.) made nine of 11 field goals and six free throws for a game-high 24 points to lead Smith College women's basketball to a season-opening 84-43 victory over host Salve Regina University at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Wednesday evening.

Salve Regina (0-1) was led by graduate student Lauryn Becker (Hanover, Mass.) with 10 points on five of nine from the floor.

Tonight marked the third meeting all-time between the two schools in basketball. Smith, which is credited with the first students to play the game in 1892, has won all three meetings by an average margin of greater than 30 points.

Pickunka picked up a dozen first quarter points with five baskets including a pair of "and ones" as the Pioneers led, 29-9, at the first break. Salve Regina's offense was highlighted by a 3-pointer from freshman Morgan Shuey (Corning, Iowa) off the bench. Shuey added three more in the second quarter, all from the charity stripe. Pickunka led the Pioneers with seven more points as Smith improved its advantage to 54-22.

In the third quarter, Becker made two of her baskets and added a blocked shot. Pickunka once again led all players with five points as the Pioneers outscored the Seahawks by three, 12-9.

Pioneer reserves had the majority of the offense in the final quarter, accounting for 16 of 18 points, led by five apiece from freshman Ashlyn Bohn (Tucson, Ariz.) and sophomore Kyra Rideout (Hinsdale, N.H.). Seahawk junior guard Mary Rorke (Norton, Mass.) made two of her three shots including her lone trey for five points in the period.

Joining Pickunka in double digit scoring for the Pioneers were Ally Yamada (Seal Beach, Calif.) with 13 points, and Amelia Clairmont (Laconia, N.H.) and Morgan Morrison (Detroit, Mich.) with 10 points apiece.

Smith (1-0) hosts the Tyler Tip-Off Tournament with Rivier College as its Saturday opponent (2 p.m.); Maine Maritime and Moravian also play in the Northampton, Mass., event. The Seahawks host Coast Guard Academy on Saturday (1 p.m.) in the middle of a three-game homestand to open the season.