ELMS COLLEGE HOLDS OFF SMITH, 42-40;
EARNS FIRST WIN OVER PIONEERS SINCE 1982-83 SEASON 

Box score 

CHICOPEE, MA, Nov. 21, 2006 - Elms College junior point guard Michelle Fernandes (Danbury, CT) netted a game-high 16 points, including three 3-pointers and the Blazers rallied from a four-point first half deficit to post a 42-40 win over Smith College in Tuesday night's non-conference women's basketball game at the Maguire Center.

The win was the first for Elms College (2-1) over Smith since the 1982-83 season. Smith fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Freshman forward Amanda Brogna (Oxford, MA) added a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers, who trailed 23-19 at intermission.

The first half featured limited offense, as the two teams combined to shoot just 25-percent from the field in the opening half.

The Blazers came out roaring in the second half as sophomore forward Paige Schneider (Windsor, CT) and Brogna each dropped in jumpers in the opening minute. Fernandes followed seconds later with a 3-pointer to cap off a 7-0 run in the first 1:15 of the second half to give the Blazers the lead for good at 26-23.

Smith received a team-high 13-point effort from freshman guard Berit Schelde (Holstebro, Denmark).

Elms College returns to non-conference play next Tuesday, November 28 at Mount Holyoke College. Game time is 7:00 p.m.