01/31/2009
Roderigue Sparks Women's Basketball to Win at Smith

NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 1/31/09 - Senior Sarah Roderigue (Oakland, Me.) scored a season-high 22 points to lead Clark University to a 76-64 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over Smith College on Saturday afternoon.

Winners of two of its last three games, Clark improved to 8-11 overall and 4-3 in league play. Smith fell to 8-10 (2-6 NEWMAC).

Junior Jill Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.) had 19 points; freshman Ivori Aiken (Harlem, N.Y.) added 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, while senior Sara Hagstrom (Yarmouth, Me.) finished with 12 points for Clark.

Smith was led by junior Berit Schelde (Holstebro,Denmark) with 20 points and sophomore Jessica Welk (Arlington, Wash.) with 15. Senior Meredith Murelli (Litchfield, Conn.) also chipped in with 12 points.

Clark led by as many as 20 (26-6) on a jumper by Camilleri at 8:56 of the opening half, but the Pioneers outscored the Cougars, 23-12, to close out the half.

Clark took a 38-30 advantage into the locker rooms.

Anna Veltri's three-pointer brought Smith within three (42-39) just 3:10 into the second half. However, Clark quickly used a 13-4 run to increase its advantage to 12 (55-43) at 13:17 and never looked back.

Clark, which shot 40 percent (24-for-60) for the game, held a 50-31 advantage on the boards. Smith shot 36.1 percent (22-for-61) in the game.

Clark will host Mount Holyoke College on Wednesday (7 p.m.).