The Terrapin women’s basketball team’s potent starting lineup, including sophomore guards Shay Doron and Kalika France and freshmen forwards Laura Harper and Crystal Langhorne, has contributed much to its early season success.

Senior point guard Anesia Smith is often overlooked in the five-player group. Though she may not score or rebound as often as her star teammates, Smith dictates the pace and sets them up for baskets.

The Terps’ 91-42 rout of St. Bonaventure last night at Comcast Center showed Smith’s ability to perform in these capacities – her pressure defense and accurate passes to open teammates buried the Bonnies.

“It was one of the best floor games I’ve seen out of Anesia,” Terp coach Brenda Frese said. “When she’s pushing tempo like that, our team wants to run with her.”

Smith has no shortage of players to fast break with, as Doron and France flank her on the wings looking to shoot and drive to the hoop. Harper and Langhorne run the floor well for posts, often beating the defense to the paint. Against the Bonnies, Smith dished out a game-high seven assists while turning the ball over just once and adding eight points.

“She did a tremendous job on the break tonight,” Frese said. “She beat people off the dribble, was very unselfish and got players the passes at the right time.”

In a flurry of activity in the first few minutes of the second half, Smith had three assists – all in transition before the Bonnies could set up in their 2-3 zone. Her prettiest pass came a few moments later when she found streaking forward Aurelie Noirez with a bounce pass for an easy lay-in.

Smith also asserted herself by firing 11 shots, making St. Bonaventure extend its defense to contest her shots. She scored the Terps’ first basket of the game on a long two-point jumper and added another minutes later. Heading into the contest, Smith averaged about four field goal attempts per game.

“We did a lot of work in our neighborhood over the summer putting up open jumpers, working on the midrange game,” Smith said. “This year, when I have those opportunities to step up and knock down open shots, I’m looking for it. I’m a lot more confident in my shot this year because I worked over the summer.”

As long as Smith contributes assists and pushes the ball up the court, any points she delivers will be a bonus for the Terps.

“I’m going to continue to put up open jumpers when I can and try to knock them down, but my first look is always to get my teammates the ball,” Smith said.