Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Sophomore Oge Uwunaka blocked a layup attempt by Amherst's Marley Giddings with 8 seconds remaining that led to a breakout by Eph junior Ellen Cook with the score tied at 63.
Cook was fouled with 1.2 seconds remainng and the Eph captain made both free throws to put Wiliams ahead 65-63. Amherst's pass to midcourt for a final shot attempt was batted away by Uwanaka and the Ephs secured the win.
In their second match-up with Amherst College, the Williams College women's basletball team grabbed the win in a nail-biting finale.
Williams improved to 15-2 on the season, while the Jeffs fell to an identical 15-2 mark.
Although Williams would have their fair share of opportunities, it would be Amherst who got on the board first with an easy layup. Williams responded with a great move in the paint by Kellie MacDonald to tie things up at 2-2. With a baseline jumpshot by Oge Uwanaka and a caused turnover on defense, the momentum seemed to be in Williams' favor. Uwanaka would help extend the Ephs' run to five points before Amherst responded with a three pointer by Jaime Renner. At the 14:29 mark, Amherst was able to regain the lead with another three pointer, this time by Cheyenne Pritchard. With the score at 10-9 in Amherst's favor, Williams tried to capitalize on fast break plays only to find their passes just out of reach or to see their layups roll off the rim.
The Ephs' hard work would pay off, however, as a great move to the hoop by Ellen Cook put the home team back on top, 13-12, at the 11:23 mark. The two teams would remain neck and neck until the 7:29 mark when Amherst extended their lead to five with a lefty layup by Hannah Peterson. The Ephs battled back within one point of the Lord Jeffs with a layup by Uwanaka after a well-executed post move. MacDonald found herself at the line at the 4:39 mark and capitalized on her foul shots to regain the lead. By the 3:20 mark, Williams had extended their lead to five. However, the Lord Jeffs would fight back to finish the half within two points of the Ephs. The first half would close with the score at 28-26 in the Ephs' favor, with nine points each from Uwanaka and MacDonald, as well as seven rebounds from Cook.
Play remained tight for the first few minutes of the second half, as the two teams found themselves tied at 33 at the 15:20 mark. Although Williams pushed the ball hard, utilizing their speed, the two teams remained essentially deadlocked. Uwanaka continued to play hard in the key, scoring her 13th point at the 10:29 mark. By the 10:05 mark, Williams had extended their lead to five for the first time in the half, bringing the score to 46-41. Cook made it a six point lead with a three pointer at the 8:25 mark.
The Lord Jeffs battled back by the 5:15 mark, bringing the score to 54-54 with a three-pointer by Ali Doswell. With a clutch pair of foul shots, Amherst was able to take the lead, but Cook responded with a successful drive to the hoop. A steal by Lauren McCall put the Ephs back on offense, and MaryKate O'Brien found herself on the foul line shooting two free throws. O'Brien sunk both shots to bring the score to 58-56 with just over three minutes left to play.
With just over two minutes to play, the Lord Jeffs found themselves up by one, but MacDonald quickly remedied that with a three-pointer. Both teams were in foul trouble at this point, and every free throw would be crucial. At the 1:26 mark, the two teams were tied at 61 points each. Marley Giddens made a clutch layup off of a rebound for Amherst, but Cook remained consistent under the pressure, sinking a layup of her own. After finding themselves trapped on the sideline, Amherst called a timeout with 36 seconds left in the game. A block by Uwanaka put the Ephs on offense, and Cook pushed the ball to draw a foul. With one second on the clock, Cook had the opportunity to take the lead with a single foul shot. Cook pulled through, sinking her shot to put the Ephs up by one point. The junior captain would make her second shot as well to secure the lead at 65-63.
Amherst could not overcome their deficit in the one remaining second, and Williams would pull out the win over their NESCAC rival. Coach Manning was very proud of her young team after the win saying, "We made important adjustments since our last matchup with Amherst, and when they made clutch shots we responded." Manning commended Oge Uwanaka for her controlled defense and confidence on offense, as well as captains Kellie MacDonald and Ellen Cook for their poise under pressure. Said Manning, "Both teams played extremely well, and we really left it all out there on the court today."
Williams next takes on Hamilton at home at 2 P.M. this Saturday.
