WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. – Defense against defense, basket answered for basket, the game today between the Williams College Ephs (4-2, 0-0, NESCAC) and the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds (4-2, 0-0, Liberty League) ended with the Ephs triumphant, 53-50.
The fans could feel the electricity coming from the court. It was a call-and-answer game with both sides moving at a fast pace with great defense. In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters, if the Ephs scored, the Thoroughbreds answered and visa-versa. Eph head coach Pat Manning remarked, “Skidmore is a very talented team and this was just a battle of defense today. Both teams just playing their hearts out. We had to work for everything we got offensively. I love games like this. You just put it all out there. I am really proud of our effort.”
Arianna Gerig ended the day with a double double for the Ephs with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Coach Manning emphasized, “[the Thoroughbreds] did a good job on her today, they made her work for every point. The key thing was, she got 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, it was all the other things that she was doing that really kept us in the game.”
Two other Ephs also reached double-digit scoring: Cortland McBarron with 16 points, making 6 of 7 free throws and Kate Keenan scored 12. Mairi Smith trailed right behind them with 9. Coach Manning added, “I want to highlight Cortland McBarron, 16 points and 4 rebounds, but it’s the defense she plays. She’s developed so much as a player. She used to be more of a defensive specialist and now is looking for her offense. She is such a smart player. I’m happy to see her success today. AlsoMairi Smith, a first year, in a game like this against a really experienced team, made major steps today.”
To tie up the game in the first quarter at 8-8, Cortland McBarron rebounded a Kate Keenan missed three to put the ball back up for a basket. The Ephs strong defense kept the Thoroughbreds scoreless for 9 consecutive minutes from the end of the first quarter going into the second quarter. The pressure applied by the Ephs caused the Thoroughbreds few opportunities to reach the basket throughout the game. Keenan closed the quarter out with a quick three to put the Ephs ahead 11-8 at the end of the quarter.
Opening up the 2nd quarter, Mairi Smith made a 3-point play after being fouled and putting the ball up for two. Arianna Gerig stole the ball on a pass-in by the Thoroughbreds and drove to the hoop for a solo two. Thoroughbred’s Becca Horger answered back, but Arianna Gerig again drove to the hoop to answer back quickly putting up another 2 to make the game 23-16. The Ephs continued to apply the defense in the 2nd quarter,, ending the half with 5 steals and in possession of a 25-18 lead. Kate Keenan and Arianna Gerig ended the half with 8 points apiece.
Mairi Smith again achieved the first Ephs’ score in the 3rd quarter off of a pick and roll on a pass from Gerig to boost the Eph lead to 27-20. The Ephs and the Thoroughbreds kept edging the score up answering each basket with another. The Thoroughbreds took a one point lead 29-28 to but the Ephs finished the qurater with a one point advantage, 35-34.
Into the 4th quarter, the scores kept edging up on both sides. The lead was taken and taken back with each team answering. With a key-timed 3-pointer drained, Kate Keenan gave the Ephs the lead 47-46. Coach Manning said, “Kate hitting that big 3 when they had the lead, Kate has been clutch for us.” Throughout the quarter, Cortland McBarron kept driving to the basket and getting fouled. She notched 6 out 7 free throws for the Ephs with 4 made in the 4th quarter to help the Ephs keep the lead at 48-46. It came down to a battle of free throws into the final minute of the game. The Ephs’ defense pressured the Thoroughbreds in the last seconds to come out victorious.
Coach Manning finished by saying, “It was such a fun game because we just saw our team step up and win. We were in a battle with Rhode Island College and couldn’t come out on top. We didn’t do things down the stretch, and we didn’t rebound. Today, we got key rebounds that made the difference.”
Friday will be the start of the Shooting Touch Tournament, and the Ephs will remain at home for their next game at Chandler Gym on Friday at 6pm versus Wheaton College.
