Carlee Smith scored a game-high 19 points to go along with eight assists, four rebounds and three steals to lead the Connecticut College team to a 70-63 NESCAC victory against Middlebury at Luce Field House Sunday.

Smith was 9-10 from the foul line and sparked the Camels on a 7-0 run over 3:12 of action in the late stages of the second half that allowed the hosts to pull away for the win. The Camels improved their record to 10-6 with a 2-1 mark in the NESCAC, while the Panthers slipped to 6-9 with a 1-3 record in conference action.

Willa McKinley chipped in with 14 points, connecting on 3-6 shots from long distance. Tara Gabelman turned in a 6-8 shooting performance, finishing with 13 points and 10 boards for the hosts.

Laura Lowry netted 16 points to go with three rebounds for the visiting Panthers. Rachel Crews was 6-11 from the field en route to her 14-point effort. Scarlett Kirk added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Middlebury. Sarah Marcus reached double digits with 10 points for the visitors.

This was a back and forth battle of longstanding rivals that featured seven ties. With 3:39 to go, Smith converted a pair of free throws to put the Camels on top 59-55. But on the ensuing possession, Middlebury responded when Marcus fed Crews in the post for a field goal to pull the visitors to within 59-57.

However, the Camels were able to pull away in the closing moments. Kaitlyn Cresencia knocked down a jumper from the foul line to extend the lead to 61-57. On the ensuing Middlebury possession, Smith induced a Panther turnover and went end-to-end for a hoop to make it a 63-57 game with 3:22 remaining. With 2:55 to play, Smith extended the lead when she corralled an offensive rebound and then connected on a pair of free throws.

McKinley closed out the run with another free throw at the 1:25 mark to push the lead to 66-57. Crews scored a hoop with just 1:01 left that trimmed the deficit to 68-61. But the visitors could not get any closer and the Camels were able to hold on for the 70-63 triumph.

Crews buried a three-ball from the top of the key and vaulted the visitors out to an early 7-4 advantage with 14:48 remaining in the first stanza. Later on in the half with 12:28 to play, Smith dribbled from coast to coast for a lay up and one to put the hosts on top, 11-8.

In the closing moments of the half with 1:56 remaining, the Panthers pulled to within 26-25 when Christina Nowak dialed up a trey from the left side for the visitors. 

Smith put in a lay-up with 1:56 left for the Camels but Kirk responded with 1:06 remaining, scoring two of her eight first-half points and the Camels carried a 28-27 lead into the break.