Box Score
Box Score
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA--In a back and forth game that saw six ties and
as many lead changes, the combination of hot shooting and clutch
defense down the stretch propelled Williams to a 72-67 victory over
the visiting Colby Mules. Despite playing without junior center Joe
Geoghegan and being outrebounded on the offensive end of the court
16-4, the Ephs were able to pull out a hard fought victory on the
shoulders of Harlan Dodson and Blake Schultz, who finished with 17
and 15 points respectively.
Trailing 27-23 at halftime after shooting just 7-21 from the
floor, the Ephs caught fire in the second half, hitting 65 percent
of their shots, including 10-14 from 3-point range. "I thought we
were playing to not lose instead of to win during the first half,"
said Williams head coach Mike Maker. "But we got great leadership
from our seniors the rest of the way and shot the ball extremely
well. Anytime you do that you're going to have a great chance to
win at home."
Dodson and Shultz certainly did their part to keep the Ephs from
falling in what could prove to be a crucial game in determining the
race for the NESCAC title. After scoring just two points in the
first half of play, Dodson hit 3 of 5 shots from behind the arc in
the second period, and was 4-4 from the free throw line. The
sophomore swingman drew high praise from Maker, who pointed out
that he was instrumental in keeping the Ephs in the game. "We were
really struggling and when he got it going it gave us some more
energy and we started playing better defense," Maker remarked.
Schultz also got off to a slow start, shooting just 2-7 in the
first half, but turned it around with 10 points after the break.
The junior also drew a key charge with just 30.6 seconds remaining
in the ballgame, after the Mules had closed to within 66-64. The
Ephs' leading scorer then calmly sunk two free throws to extend the
lead to 68-64 and seemed to have put the game out of reach. "That
play was huge," Maker said after the game. "Everyone talks about
Blake's offense but he's a great defensive player as well."
The contest was still in doubt, however, after Colby junior Gil
Haylon buried a 3-pointer right in front of the Williams cheering
section, cutting the deficit to 68-67. After Dodson made two free
throws to make it 70-67, the Mules still had one last chance to tie
the game with 9.4 seconds remaining. But senior captain Artie
Cutrone could not convert on an open look from the corner and
Williams senior Michael Kearney came away with the rebound,
effectively sealing the outcome.
The Ephs had to be satisfied with the result as they were able
to come out on top despite giving up a significant height advantage
inside. Coach Maker was also pleased that even though the Mules
were able to force the Ephs to work overtime on the defensive end
by snatching offensive rebounds and routinely running the shot
clock to below ten seconds, his team managed to pull out a victory.
"Both teams expended a lot of energy here tonight," the Williams
coach noted. "Because of the importance of this game each side put
in a great amount of effort." The Ephs now improve to 15-6 overall
and 5-1 in NESCAC play.
