Senior point guard Ariel Smith has been the catalyst of the Brooklyn College Women’s Basketball team’s success in the early stages of the 2010-2011 season.
In Brooklyn’s six games during the month of December, Smith led the Bulldogs to a 4-2 record averaging 18.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.7 steals per contest, while logging in 32.3 minutes per ballgame. The Newburgh, NY native was also efficient from the field, shooting 44.4% (44-for-99) from the floor, including 42.9% (9-for-21) from three.
Smith’s highlight of the month came early, back on Saturday, December 4th, as Smith etched her name in the school record books recording the first triple-double for the BC Women’s Basketball program since the 2002-2003 season, when Kelly Weismuller recorded 25 points, 14 rebounds and 14 blocks against Medgar Evers College on January 14, 2003. Smith finished the game with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, leading the Bulldogs to a 77-65 win over Briarcliffe College.
Smith continued to excel recording a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, en route to helping Brooklyn erase an 18-point second half deficit to defeat Purchase College, 79-78, on Thursday, December 9th.
Smith would again surpass the 20-point plateau on Saturday, December 11th at the CUNY Coaches vs. Cancer Classic held at Lehman College, as she netted 25 points against Manhattanville College.
Due to her stellar play, Smith received national accolades being named to the D3Hoops.com Team of the Week on back-to-back weeks (December 9th and 14th).
For her efforts, Smith has been named the Brooklyn College Female Student-Athlete of the Month, for the month of December 2010.
