Box Score NEW YORK CITY, NY – The Williams College Ephs (6-5, 0-0, NESCAC) fell to the Millsaps College Majors (10-1, 1-0, SAA) today 63-59 in a give-and-take 4
th quarter.
The Ephs and Majors fought in the 4
th quarter in a call-and-answer that did not see a lead bigger than 2 points until the last minute when the Majors took a 3-point lead that expanded to 4. Junior forward
Arianna Gerig ended the day with a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Cortland McBarron finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds. And,
Mairi Smith scored 9 points with 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.
For the first points of the game,
Arianna Gerig stole a pass on defense and took the ball to the basket, getting fouled and sinking both free throws. The Ephs utilized full-court defensive early on in the game. Jnior guard
Kate Keenan raised the Ephs lead to 8-2 with a three drained from downtown. Junior guard
Cortland McBarron turned rebounds into points for the Ephs with 5 points in the quarter snagging 4 rebounds. Sophomore guard
Logan Coster scored a jump shot to give the Ephs the lead 14-12.
In the 2
nd quarter,
Cortland McBarron opened it up with a 3 for the Ephs.
Arianna Gerig dribbled the ball from the left side into the key, taking defenders with her and opening up First Year forward
Mairi Smith. Gerig passed and Smith scored a jumper to give the Ephs a 19-12 lead. The Majors battled back and the game was tied at 29 at the half.
The Ephs started the 3
rd quarter with a 10-point run taking the score from 29-29 to 39-29.
Mairi Smith scored a basket,
Arianna Gerig executed a 3-point play off of a layup and then added 2 more free throws and
Cortland McBarron also delivered a 3-point play off of a fast break. The Majors fought back throughout the quarter and the teams were call-and-answer on points with the quarter ending with the Ephs leading 48-47.
From the eight-and-a-half-minute mark in the final quarter, neither team led by more than 2 points.
Cortland McBarron drained a 2 from the right side; the Majors answered with a 3 pointer.
Arianna Gerig put up a 2 and
Mairi Smith followed with a free throw.
Arianna Gerig tied it with a free throw; the Majors took the lead with a 2.
Logan Coster shot a free throw; the Majors led 60-59. Taking the first lead bigger than 2 points since the 1
st minute of the quarter, the Majors sank 2 free throws and claimed 63-59 victory.
Eph head coach
Pat Manning said, "We played a solid game today, but we had too many turnovers down the stretch. Overall, it was a great effort on the boards. Mairi and Cortland elevated their game today. We'll regroup and get ready for tomorrow."
The Ephs remain at New York City tournament tomorrow and will face Berry College
at 11am.
