WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. – The Williams College Ephs (3-2, 0-0, NESCAC) led the whole game against the MCLA Trailblazers (1-5, 0-0, MASCAC) to achieve their 3
rd win of the season 84-37.
The Ephs moved the basketball well on offense, featured great teamwork, and stole the ball on many transitions. As a team, they finished with a 55.1 FG%, 42 rebounds, 32 assists, and 18 steals. Eph head coach
Pat Manning emphasized, "
Cortland McBarron was one rebound away from a double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds. She has been playing great D, so it was great to see her have a great offensive day as well."
Cortland McBarron started off the day for scoring the Ephs first four points and then following up with a great rebound and assist pass to
Kate Keenan who drained her first three of the day. The quarter ended with the Ephs ahead 22-12.
In the second quarter the Ephs' defense revved up to pressure the Trailblazers.
Ellie Tounkara had the first steal of the 2
nd quarter, opening up the quarter of steals for the Ephs. She found
Cortland McBarron for a two from the baseline, widening the Ephs' lead to 24-12. Williams player-to-player full court defense in the 2
nd pressured the Trailblazers allowing the Ephs to end the half with 10 steals and 19 assists;
Ellie Tounkara responsible for 4 of those steals and 9 of those assists. Offensive ball movement enabled the Ephs to find many opportunities to score. Williams went into the halftime break with a 44-17 lead.
With an early and quick start to the 3
rd quarter,
Arianna Gerig drove towards the basket, passed the ball to
Mairi Smith for an open two. Again the, Ephs defense became their offense as
Mairi Smith stole the ball in transition and passed it back to
Arianna Gerig for a layup, making the score 48-19.
Kate Keenan and
Izzy Sullivan played a great tag team with two back-to-back Keenan assists to Sullivan for layups continuing to build the Williams lead, 64-25.
In the fourth quarter,
Hanorah Murphy opened it up with an offensive rebound to assist
Tatum Leuenberger with an open three pointer. The Ephs worked an in-and-out play in the key where
Logan Coster drove in to pull the Trailblazer defense with her and then she passed to
Hanorah Murphy for a two. Quickly following,
Logan Coster stole the ball in transition again and faked a bounce pass into a layup, making the score 73-30.
The Ephs finished up the day with great numbers all around and a 84-37 victory.
Arianna Gerig,
Cortland McBarron, and
Izzy Sullivan all scored in double digits,
Ellie Tounkara finished with 10 assists, and
Cortland McBarron led the team in rebounds with 9. Coach
Pat Manning said, "It was an all-around team win, a solid team performance. Everyone came in and made a difference. It was the team game that we were looking for."
Next up for the Ephs they will stay at home for a game against Skidmore College in Chandler Gymnasium this Tuesday at 5pm.
