A season-high, double-double performance for senior forward Catherine Cloutier (19 points, 15 rebounds) led the Emerson Women's Basketball team to a 66-61 victory over the visiting Smith Pioneers.

With the win, the Lady Lions rise to 11-8 overall and 5-5 in conferance play, which surpassed their NEWMAC win total from last season. The Pioneers fall to 6-12 overall, 2-8 in conference play.

In the first half, Emerson shot 41% from the floor and pulled down 28 rebounds to go up 33-22 at halftime.

Cloutier earned her second double-double of the season in the first half with 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead the floor.

In the second half, senior forward Kristin Brice nabbed seven rebounds and dropped eight points to chip in 14 on the day. Brice's four offensive boards in the half were key to the Lions' 17 second-chance points in the game. Emerson dominated the boards with 46 to Smith's 29 and put up 30 points in the paint.

Brice and Cloutier combined for 33 points and 23 rebounds in the game, which amounts to half of the Lions' points and half of the team's rebounds on the day.

Emerson put up 33 points in each half and shot 40% in field goals, 42% from beyond the arc and 65% at the free throw line.

EC's largest lead was 11 points at the end of the first half, but Smith hung close as the game saw five ties and six lead changes thanks to efforts from lead Smith scorers Samantha Alakai and Jade Chihara. The Lions were able to hold the lead for good with nine minutes left, though it was a narrow margin down the stretch.

Next up, the Lions will travel across the river to take on the MIT Engineers in Cambridge on Feb. 4, 7:00 pm tip.