WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams College Ephs (14-2, 4-2 NESCAC) fell to the Wesleyan College Cardinals (19-3, 7-1 NESCAC) by a score of 97-52 on Monday evening in Chandler Gymnasium. Prior to the game, Williams honored seniors
Jovan Jones,
Daniel Kacmarek,
Michael Myers, and
Marc Taylor.
Speaking after the game about the graduating class, Eph head coach
Kevin App said, "Mike, Mark, and Dan came back for a fifth year at Williams — they've actually graduated. We've told them on multiple occasions that this year would not be the same without the three of them. Jovan is just a joy to coach, and we're going to do our best to make sure they have as much time out here playing with their friends as possible. As we said before the game, there couldn't be four better examples of who you want as teammates, leaders, and people in the Williamstown community. I'm proud to be their coach."
Wesleyan established a dominant first half lead that they never surrendered to solidify first place in the NESCAC standings, as the Ephs dropped their second game of the season.
"Wesleyan is a good team," App said after the loss. "They pounced us in the first half. I thought we played a little better in the second, and was happy to see guys out there making plays and stepping into new roles."
"That was not quite how you want to send off the seniors in terms of not having everyone able to support them on the court," App said of the Ephs 10-man roster this evening. "I was happy that at least all of their teammates got to be here. We did our best to simulate high level basketball with just 7 or 8 guys in practice, but today was the first time we played 5 on 5 basketball in the last two weeks."
The Cardinals jumped out to a 11-2 lead in under 4:00 of game action. After the Ephs trimmed the deficit to 6 points, the Cardinals took control for a 19-7 lead that forced a timeout from App.
Wesleyan answered back with a 15-0 run that
Brandon Roughley eventually halted to begin a 6-0 Williams streak.
Cole Prowitt-Smith hit a deep ball from several feet beyond the arc after a defensive stop, and
Jovan Jones brought home a two-handed-jam to make the score 28-14 with 8:50 left in the half.
The Cardinals took a 50-19 advantage into the break. They outshot the Ephs 56% to 32%, while committing 4 fewer turnovers. Jordan James led the way with 15 points, while Roughley had 7 for Williams.
Declan Porter opened the second half with a triple, and Roughley hit from deep a couple minutes later as the Ephs looked to overcome the substantial hole.
Wesleyan always seemed to have a response to a Williams basket, however, and a 30 point advantage gradually increased to 40.
All 10 Ephs who made appearances netted points, including the four seniors. Kacmarek led the class with 6 points.
Williams shot 20-51 (39%) as a team, and Wesleyan went 40-71 (56%). James scored 22 points on 10-11 shooting for the Cardinals, and Roughley added 17 for the Ephs.
The focus for the Ephs now turns to away matchups against Tufts and Bates next weekend.
"The first step is just being back together," commented App of the outlook for the rest of the regular season. "We'll worry about ourselves getting the energy and enthusiasm back up and enjoy competing with the whole squad."
