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Williamstown, MA - Co-captain
Blake Schultz scored a career-high 34 points on 11-13 shooting and
16 other Ephs scored as Williams men's basketball continued
its torrid start to the season with a 111-74 win over Vassar. The
team shot 62% from the field on the game and spread the ball
around, as Schultz was the only Eph in double digits. The Ephs are
now 6-0.
Schultz scored 12 of Williams' first 15
points as the Ephs jumped on the Brewers quickly, leading 15-2
after five minutes. Vassar then began to press in order to force
turnovers and kept up the pressure for the rest of the half; while
the Brewers had some success, the Ephs took well to the faster
pace. By half time, Williams led 59-23.
At least a part of the Ephs' offensive
success had to do with Vassar's pressure. “When they
choose to press, we have numerical advantages on the back side of
that press,” said head coach Mike Maker. “In turn, we
look to find lay ups or open threes for our shooters.
p;rdquo; As the Ephs' 57% shooting from three and 60%
shooting in the first half shows, the team did that effectively.
The Ephs' defense in the first half was
impressive, holding the Brewers to 30% shooting. Schultz outscored
Vassar in the half, tallying 24 points while going 8-9 from the
field in only 14 minutes.
The second half was a somewhat different
story, as the Ephs continued to score against the Brewers'
press, shooting an incredible 64% from the floor, but allowed their
opponents to return the favor, as Vassar shot 53% themselves for
the half. The second
half was back-and-forth, but Vassar couldn't really put dent
Williams' lead.
The Ephs hit the century mark with more than
six minutes remaining in the half and led by as many as 44.
Ultimately, the Ephs only added one point to their half-time lead
in the final as they claimed their sixth-straight victory, 111-74.
The Ephs controlled every facet of the game,
outrebounding the Brewers 46-24, shooting 62% to the Brewers'
43%, and assisting on 17 baskets to the Brewers' seven.
Vassar had four players in double figures on
the game as David de la Torre led the way with 18 points on 8-13
shooting.
Co-capatin Joe Geoghegan led the Ephs on the
boards, grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Schultz scored 10 more
points in only five second half minutes to end the game with 34.
Schultz got the majority of his points from behind the three-point
line, as the senior went 8-10 from three. He is now averaging a
NESCAC-leading 23.8 points per game.
Maker was more than happy with his
team's play. “I was very pleased that everybody
contributed tonight, and was pleased with our team chemistry, our
effort, our energy, our sharing the ball, and the many
contributions across the board. The collective effort overall was
impressive. Depth and chemistry are at the core of what we are
doing right, and we take a lot of pride in how we play. Guys are
ready when they get the opportunity, and they're taking
advantage of it.”
The Ephs will have the day off tomorrow and
practice Monday before taking on Framingham State on Tuesday at
7:30 p.m. in Chandler Gymnasium.
