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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA--In an emotional game on
Senior Day in which neither team led by more than seven points,
Williams was unable to pull out a victory, falling to Bowdoin
76-71. Despite outstanding efforts from junior guard Blake Schultz
and senior captain Kevin Snyder, the Ephs could not overcome their
poor free throw shooting and inability to stop the Polar Bears on
the defensive end.
"It wasn't the offensive end that hurt us in this game, it was
that we just didn't guard at the level we are capable of," said
Ephs coach Mike Maker. "When you miss nine free throws and struggle
defensively, it makes it difficult."
Kyle Jackson led the way for Bowdoin with a team-high 22 points
on 7-14 shooting. Junior forward Mark Phillips also helped shoulder
the scoring load chipping in 15 points for the Polar Bears, who
improve to 3-4 in NESCAC play. The Ephs drop to 5-2 in league and
fall two games back of Middlebury in the race for the league
championship.
The outcome was certainly not the result of a lack of effort on
Schultz's part. The junior scored a game-high 24 points, including
20 in the second half. The Ephs' leading scorer also played a major
role defensively, corralling a game-high nine rebounds, one shy of
a double-double. "It makes my job easy when one of your best
players is also one of your hardest workers," Maker said of
Schultz's performance. "He had to play 76 minutes this weekend."
Snyder also had a big game for the Ephs, playing all 40 minutes and
contributing 13 points.
Going into crunch time Williams seemed to have the upper hand.
Trailing 72-71 with just over a minute remaining, Schultz stepped
in the passing lane to steal a pass and appeared to have an open
layup. However, he was hit hard by Bowdoin freshman Ryan O'Connell,
who was subsequently whistled for an intentional foul.
Unfortunately for the Ephs, Schultz was unable to convert on either
free throw, and after getting the ball back, Alex Rubin's jumper
rimmed out.
After Bowdoin senior Tim Lane hit two free throws to make the
score 74-71, the Ephs still had one more opportunity to tie the
game with a three-ball. But the Polar Bears clamped down
defensively and prevented the Ephs from getting a quality look. Two
more free throws by Lane then sealed the outcome.
Maker was obviously moved by the atmosphere that comes with
Senior Day. Despite the loss, the Williams coach still noted that
the game was an emotional experience. "I am just so fortunate
to coach such quality young men," Maker remarked, referring to the
Ephs seniors, Snyder, Michael Kearney, Tommas Golia, and Grant
Meyer. "Those four guys are all obviously great basketball players,
but more importantly, they're good people. We're going to miss
them."
The Ephs return to action on Friday, February 13th
against the rival Lord Jeffs in Amherst. Game time is set for
7:30 pm.
