Sophie Smith shocks WAU with school-record 18 assists

All records are made to be broken. Sophie Smith broke a record that had stood for over 40 years on Thursday. She dished out a Georgetown College record 18 assists in a 101-54 win over Washington Adventist. The mark is the most by any basketball player, male or female, in school history. It surpasses the 17 assists of Janie Howard in the 1981-82 season against Cumberlands.

The game got off to a slow start for the Tigers. Georgetown shot just 5-17 from the field in the opening quarter but held the Shock to just 6-17 to keep things tight. The Tigers benefited from 3-pointers by Teionni McDaniel, Sophie Smith, and Jordan Rogers to take a slim 14-12 lead to the 2nd quarter.

Georgetown's defense stayed strong and consistent in the 2nd quarter. WAU shot just 5-18 in the quarter and committed 5 turnovers. The Tigers got going at a 44% clip in the 2nd. Sophie Smith dished out assists on 5 of Georgetown's 10 made baskets. Teionni McDaniel and Callie Jackson outscored Washington Adventist in the quarter (12-11) as Georgetown's lead grew to 15 at 38-23 heading to halftime.

The 3rd quarter is where Sophie Smith and the Tigers put the game away. Washington Adventist was held scoreless for the first 6:26 of the quarter. Georgetown outscored the Shock 19-0 in that stretch to blow the lead out to 57-24. WAU had no answers for the Tiger offense as Georgetown erupted to the tune of 67%. Teionni McDaniel scored 12 of her game-high 22 in the 3rd. Sophie Smith dished out 7 assists on 12 made baskets. Jordan Rogers and Izzy Lamparty started the quarter and scored 7 points each. Georgetown outscored Washington Adventist, 31-6, to take a 69-29 lead to the 4th.

With 13 assists after 3 quarters, Smith was clearly in striking range of Janie Howard's school record of 17. Assist #14 came off a lay-in by Abby Varney just 27 seconds into the quarter. The tandem connected once more at the 8:37 mark for Smith's 15th assist. AJ Stevenson was the beneficiary of the 16th dime with 6:35 left to give Georgetown an 86-37 lead. With 5:16 to go and off a Trinity Klock steal, Smith found Stevenson in transition for a corner 3 to push the lead to 93-37 and give Smith a share of the record. With just under 4 minutes to go, Smith fed Trinity Klock in the paint for a lay-in to give Georgetown a 100-46 lead and give Smith the new school record with her 18th assist. Smith was subbed out moments later to a standing ovation from the Davis-Reid Alumni Gym crowd.

Smith scored 8 points and had 2 steals to go along with the 18 assists. Teionni McDaniel knocked 4 threes and had 5 steals en route to her 22-point night. McDaniel was the only starter in double figures, but all 4 players off the bench broke the mark. AJ Stevenson finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds in just 15 minutes. Izzy Lamparty tallied a double-double with 14 points, 10 boards. Jordan Rogers knocked down 3 threes en route to 13 points. Abby Varney scored 10 and pulled down 4 rebounds.

Ball security also played a big factor in the win. Georgetown committed just 11 turnovers on the night, while forcing the Shock into 22. The Tigers were masterful in converting as they turned those 22 takeaways into a staggering 41 points.

The Tigers are back at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym on Friday afternoon to take on Miami-Hamilton. Tip time is set for 4:00pm.