Box Score Williamstown, MA- The 6-6 Colby College Mules rolled into Chandler Gymnasium looking for their first conference win of the season against the 11-3 Williams College Ephs. Colby handed Williams their first home loss in almost two months by a score of 57-47 behind a stout defensive performance and double-digit scoring nights for junior Haley Driscoll (16 pts) and Emily Davis (15 pts). Williams was led by 13 points each from senior captain Devon Caveney and junior Amanni Fernandez, who both struggled from the field but made up for it at the free throw line. Caveney had a double-double, adding 10 rebounds to her stat line. Both teams are now 1-2 in NESCAC play.
The first half featured an aggressive game plan from the Ephs, who looked to quickly break out of their defensive half off of Colby misses and attack the rim in their offensive set. Caveney led the way for the Ephs with 7 points and an uncharacteristic 8 rebounds in the first half alone. Caveney, a sharpshooting guard, did not attempt a three pointer in the first half, preferring to drive and get to the free throw line, where she went 5-6. The looks close to the basket were necessary due to the Eph's collective inability to connect from long distance. Williams did not make a three pointer in the first half and had only made two of their last nineteen attempts dating back to their last game against Trinity College.
The second quarter was defined in halves, with Williams going on a 9-2 run during the first five minutes, prompting an impressive response from the Mules, who put together an 11-2 run to end the half. Colby benefitted greatly from Williams miscues, forcing 17 turnovers in the first half alone that included 7 steals. On the offensive end, Driscoll led all scorers through the first two quarters with 10 points on 5-8 shooting, finding success in an offensive system that emphasized ball movement over individual playmaking.
Williams struggled offensively during the third quarter, committing only one more turnover but coming up empty on seven more three point attempts. This left the door open for Colby who went on a mini-run during the final four minutes of the quarter to take a 40-34 lead going into the fourth.
Colby freshman Ainsley Burns scored the first two points of the fourth quarter to make the lead 42-34. The Ephs started to look a little desperate during their next three trips down the floor, which were missed three pointers from Caveney and two from first year Emily Chang. Williams ended the game 1-19 from distance, the lone basket coming from senior captain Lauren McCall. A three point play from Colby's Emily Davis made the lead 11 at 45-34. The Ephs tried to find a response in the waning minutes of the game, but Colby's ball movement continued to generate good looks that were eagerly converted. Free throws sealed the deal, giving Colby their first conference win of the season.
Williams head coach Pat Manning said her team broke down in the second half, failing to play together as a team. Manning said, "We went into halftime feeling that we were ok, that we executed well in the first half and needed to communicate better to have a strong second half. The second half we got frustrated on the offensive end and let that carry over into our defense, and we let Colby have pretty much whatever they wanted." Poor shooting naturally contributed to the outcome of the game, but it was her team's response to their frustrations that Manning thought was not in tune with a team of her caliber, specifically the way it contributed to the lacking defensive effort. Manning praised Colby for the effort they showed throughout the game, especially on the defensive end, but said the loss was an inside job. She said, "All week we had stressed read the help defense before you make a pass, see the floor, and tonight we passed it right where they had help. In the second half we did a better job taking care of the ball but they just kept coming at us on defense."
Williams will play their next game at home on Sunday, an afternoon showdown with Bowdoin College. Colby will stay on the road for their next game, travelling to Husson on Tuesday.
