NEW YORK CITY, NY – The Williams College Ephs (6-6, 0-0, NESCAC) lost to Berry College Vikings (6-5, 1-0, SAA) today 65-57.
The Ephs’ full court defense in the 4th helped them to outscore the Vikings 24-20; however, it was not quite enough to build back from the first quarter where the Vikings outscored the Ephs 20-8. Cortland McBarron had 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Tatum Leuenberger scored 13 points with 8 rebounds. Ephs head coach Pat Manning said, “Cortland McBarron had an outstanding two games in the tournament, and Logan Coster and Tatum Leuenberger really played well for us off the bench today.”
To start off the 1st quarter, Junior forward Arianna Gerig took the ball to the basket and laid it up for 2. Then, quickly after, the Ephs scored again when first year Mairi Smith rebounded from under the basket. For the rest of the quarter, the Vikings’ offense, scoring 20 points, took advantage of their defense which kept the Ephs to 8 points.
In the 2nd quarter, forward Mairi Smith banked a 2 from underneath the basket and completed the 3-point play opportunity. In the following play on defense, Arianna Gerig forced the Vikings guard over and back giving possession to the Ephs. The Ephs scored. In their next offensive possession, Arianna Gerig passed to Junior guard Cortland McBarron on a fast break for 2, bringing the game to 23-15 Vikings leading. The Vikings lead in the 1st held tight; the quarter ended 35-21 Vikings.
The Vikings built up an 8-point run against the Ephs in the 3rd quarter, but first year guard Tatum Leuenberger broke it with a jump shot assisted by Logan Coster. Cortland McBarron passed down court to Sophomore guard Logan Coster. With a quick stop, Coster evaded her Vikings’ defender and completed an open jump shot for 2, making the score 43-25 Vikings. Tatum Leuenberger ended the quarter with a 3 pointer for the Ephs.
On a fast break, Cortland McBarron passed to junior forward Arianna Gerig who floated the ball up for 2; she was fouled and scored the and 1. The Ephs’ full court defense pressured the Vikings, resulting in a 10 second violation. The Ephs gained possession and Logan Coster took the ball up for 2. The Ephs stole the ball on defense right next to the basket and Junior guard Ellie Tounkara scored a quick 2 from underneath, making the score 57-49 Vikings. Cortland McBarron scored 2 and 1 for a 3-point play. Quickly following, Tatum Leuenberger drained a 3-pointer, making it a 2-point game 57-55 Vikings with 1:30 left in the game. The Vikings brought their lead back to 65-57 with free throws and won.
Ephs head coach Pat Manning said, “We fought hard coming back in the 4th quarter and mid-way through the 3rd, but we just got off to a slow start. We didn’t put it all together until later. It was a disappointing couple of days for us, but we will take the break to regroup and get ready for NESCAC play.”
The Ephs next game will be back in Massachusetts against Worchester Polytechnical Institute in Worcester at 6pm on January 2nd.
