NEW YORK CITY, NY – The Williams College Ephs (6-5, 0-0, NESCAC) fell to the Millsaps College Majors (10-1, 1-0, SAA) today 63-59 in give-and-take 4th quarter.
The Ephs and Majors fought in the 4th quarter in a call-and-answer that did not see a lead bigger than 2 points until the last minute when the Majors took a 3-point lead that expanded to 4. Arianna Gerig ended the day with a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Cortland McBarron finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds. And, Mairi Smith scored 9 points with 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.
For the first points of the game, Arianna Gerig stole a pass on defense and took the ball to the basket, getting fouled and sinking both free throws. Ephs utilized full-court defense in some of their plays early on in the game. Kate Keenan raised the Ephs lead to 8-2 with a three drained from downtown. Cortland McBarron turned rebounds into points for the Ephs with 5 points in the quarter with 4 rebounds. Logan Coster scored a jump shot to give the Ephs the lead 14-12.
In the 2nd quarter, Cortland McBarron opened it up with a 3 for the Ephs. Arianna Gerig dribbled the ball from the left side into the key, taking defenders with her and opening up Mairi Smith. Gerig passed and Smith scored 2 from the top of the key to give the Ephs a 19-12 lead. The game was tied at the half.
The Ephs started the 3rd quarter with a 10-point run taking the score from 29-29 to 39-29. Mairi Smith scored a basket, Arianna Gerig executed a 3-point play off of a layup and 2 more free throws, and Cortland McBarron also achieved a 3-pt play off of a fast break. The Majors fought back throughout the quarter and the teams were call-and-answer on points with the quarter ending Ephs leading 48-47.
From the eight-and-a-half-minute mark in the 4th, neither team ever led by more than 2 points. From 5 minutes left in the quarter, the lead waffled from the Majors leading 53-52. Cortland McBarron scored a 2 from the right side; the Majors answered with a 3 pointer. Arianna Gerig put up a 2 and Mairi Smith followed with a free throw; the Majors scored a basket. Arianna Gerig tied it with a free throw; the Majors took the lead with a 2. Logan Coster shot a free throw; the Majors led 60-59. Taking the first lead bigger than 2 points since the 1st minute of the quarter, the Majors sank 2 free throws. The Majors won 63-59.
Ephs head coach Pat Manning said, “We played a solid game today, but we had too many turnovers down the stretch. Overall, it was a great effort on the boards. Mairi and Cortland elevated their game today. We’ll regroup and get ready for tomorrow.”
The Ephs remain at New York City tournament tomorrow and will face Berry College at 11am.
