Box Score NORTH ADAMS, MA – After grabbing a quick lead, Williams College Women's Basketball (6-0) kept up the pressure to defeat MCLA (2-4) by a score of 81-43. Five Ephs would contribute double-digit points to the team's 81 points, with junior Ellen Cook also contributing seven assists.
The Ephs wasted no time building a substantial lead, going up 13-2 in the first three minutes of play thanks in part to two layups and a jump shot from Kellie MacDonald. MCLA's Courtney McLaughlin broke up Williams' run with two made free throws, and a three-pointer by teammate Kaitlyn Chenevert a few minutes later helped the home team capitalize on the Ephs' brief break in scoring. With the score at 17-7, neither team were able to score for the next two minutes, until both Williams and MCLA made layups to keep the Ephs' lead at ten points.
Both teams would double their points before the end of the half, as Williams shot well from outside the three-point arc and MCLA capitalized on the foul-line. Ephs MaryKate O'Brien, MacDonald, Devon Caveny, and Lauren McCall all drained three-pointers before the end of the half, while MCLA's McLaughlin made four more free throws to help bring the score to 35-18 before the end of the half.
The first three minutes of the second half proved just as successful for the Ephs as they had in the first half, as they used their momentum to go on a seven point run before MCLA could respond with a made free throw. Williams would see another seven point run, beginning at the 15:08 mark with a jump shot by MacDonald and ending with a three-pointer and layup by Jane Thompson. It seemed that MCLA would begin their comeback effort with just under 14 minutes left, when two layups by McLaughlin combined with a jump shot by Brayleigh Hanlon to bring the score to 53-27 in Williams' favor.
The Ephs would not be able to extend their lead much beyond those 25 points until the 9:11 mark, when a jump shot by Caveney kicked off a six-point run for Williams. MCLA came back within 27 with a layup by Mariah Brown and a three-pointer by McLaughlin, but that is the closest they would come to tying things up for the rest of play. Williams utilized the depth of their bench, with many Ephs contributing to maintain their strong lead. Williams would have the last say of the game, finishing with a three-pointer by Katie Leinbach to bring the score to 81-43.
Coach Pat Manning was very pleased with her Ephs, saying, "Everybody contributed today, everybody scored and played consistent defense." Manning added that the Thanksgiving holiday can often detract from a team's focus, but her players remained determined. "We're never quite sure what will happen immediately after the holiday, it can be hard to refocus. Today, the team came to play and they used their hard work on Friday and Saturday to execute all of our goals for the game." Williams finished the game with their season-high in rebounds.
The Ephs next take on Skidmore away on Tuesday at 7:30PM.
