Box Score
Williamstown, MA- The Williams College women's basketball team (10-2, 0-1 NESCAC) suffered their second loss of the season today by a score of 80-44 when rival Amherst College came to Chandler Gymnasium to play in the first conference game for both teams. Amherst (11-0, 1-0 NESCAC), the third ranked team in the country, came into this game after winning their first ten by an average of nearly 30 points per game, winning all by double digits. A costly turnover rate for Williams and a great defensive effort from Amherst were themes through all four quarters. The Ephs struggled to find open looks and were often forced into tough shots by Amherst defenders.
Amherst junior Jamie Renner set the pace offensively in the first quarter, using her speed to cut through the Eph defenders on a path to the basket. Renner was not the only Amherst player that found herself open under the basket. Amherst routinely made extra passes to improve the quality of each shot, shooting 55.6% from the field and outscoring Williams 24-6 in the paint in the first half. Renner was aided by junior Meredith Doswell and sophomore Hannah Hackley, who finished with 8 and 9 points respectively in the first half. Hackley finished with a game-high 21 points, providing an outside shooting presence by converting 4 of her 7 three point attempts.
Williams' top two scorers, junior Devon Caveney and sophomore Ammani Fernandez, combined to go 4-7 in the first half, each tallying five points. Fernandez finished with a team-high 12 points, adding two assists to go along with seven turnovers. Senior captain Katie Litman likewise contributed five points to the Williams total in the first half, adding a team high seven rebounds as well. This trio was responsible for the combined total of all Ephs in the first, playing against a defense that allows only 37 points per game and has yet to allow any opponent to score over 50 points. Williams head coach Pat Manning said about the Amherst defense, "They're really good. They put a lot of good pressure on the ball and just play really good team defense. They make it tough for you to score." Williams found themselves down 37-15 at the break, and Amherst had not yet finished building on that lead.
Amherst picked up where they left off in the third quarter, outscoring the Ephs 24-12 in the period while forcing Williams into seven turnovers. Williams sophomore Lydia Zaleski came off the bench to contribute 4 points in as many minutes, both hard fought baskets from close range. Senior captain Oge Uwanaka, who spurred her team on at many points during the game by exhibiting her ability to make hustle plays, also scored 4 points in the quarter. Manning said of her captain's work ethic, "Oge only knows how to play all out, she always gives everything." Despite Uwanaka's efforts, Williams trailed by 34 after three quarters of play.
Williams played their most competitive quarter in the fourth when the game was already out of their control. Two freshmen, Lauren Vostal and Lexi Jones, combined for 10 of the 17 Williams points in the fourth quarter, shooting a combined 8-9 from the foul line. Amherst countered with their own performer off the bench, senior Haley Zwecker, who shot 4-6 for 9 points in the final quarter. When all was said and done, Amherst increased their average margin of victory, scoring 36 more points than the Ephs.
Williams will play their second NESCAC game at home on Sunday against the Trinity College Bantams, who currently sit at 9-1 overall. Manning believes there is much to be improved before the 2:00 PM tip off, saying "We have to be able to compete better than this. Tonight our lack of confidence on offense translated into a lack of energy on defense, that effort will need to improve."
