SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The 11th-ranked Williams women's basketball team kept its perfect season alive tonight with a 47-31 win over the Skidmore Thoroughbreds. The loss was the Thoroughbreds' first. With the win, the Ephs move to 7-0, while the Thoroughbreds find themselves at 4-1.
Despite shooting 25.4% from the field on the night, the Ephs were able to rally to victory behind stellar defensive play and rebounding. The Ephs held the Thoroughbreds to just 24% shooting on the night and trailed only once – after the first basket of the game.
In addition to their defense and rebounding, another highlight for the Ephs was their foul shooting – they went 8-for-9 on the night including a perfect 4-for-4 from Claire Baecher and 2-for-2 from Danny Rainer and Grace Rehnquist.
Leading the way for the Ephs tonight were Baecher and Ellen Cook - each with 10 points. Coach Pat Manning referred to Cook as a "spark off the bench" as she hit two big threes for the Ephs.
Megan Gaugler led the way for Skidmore with 12 points. She was the only Thoroughbred in double digits.
Said Coach Manning after the game about the key to the win, "Fortunately we rebounded really well in the second half. I thought Danny Rainer did really well on the boards. She had nine – six of them were offensive. Claire finished with… nine rebounds. Jennie Harding had eight rebounds – four of them were offensive. I think that was the key for us in the second half."
Coach Manning said that being able to rely on her team's defense is key for the Ephs: "I was very happy with their defense. Skidmore has some really good shooters who can light it up from three. We did a great job taking them out of that. We held them in the first half to 18% shooting [and] 28% in the second half, so 24% on the game, so that was key. I think that [our defense] is where we've been most consistent through our first seven games."
The Ephs return home to take on Little Three rival Wesleyan on Saturday at 2:00.
