CLINTON, NY.— The Williams College Ephs (7-8, 0-2, NESCAC) fell to the Hamilton College Continentals (12-2, 1-1, NESCAC) this afternoon 77-66.
The Ephs put up a great fight in the 4
th on offense, keeping Hamilton scoreless in the first 5 minutes of the quarter and building an 11-point run to close the 17-point gap left from the 3
rd quarter. First-year forward
Tatum Leuenberger was not shy on the arc today with 12 of her 18 points scored by her 3s. While
Arianna Gerig scored 21 points this afternoon with 13 coming from free throws alone.
The Continentals took an early lead with 2 3-pointers, but sophomore
Sarah Batra scored the Ephs first points of the game with a long jumper. To make the game 10-5 Continentals leading, junior
Arianna Gerig stole the ball on defense, went coast to coast, and drained both free throws after being fouled. Gerig then passed to first-year
Tatum Leuenberger right outside of the arc for a quick 3 to end the quarter with the Ephs withinin a basket of the Continentals 16-14.
In the 2
nd quarter, Junior
Ellie Tounkara rebounded first-year
Mairi Smith's shot to put it back up for 2 and brought the Ephs within 1 point of the Continentals 19-18. Guard
Cortland McBarron swiftly passed and created an opportunity for guard
Tatum Leuenberger's quick-release 3 yet again, to tie the game at 21.
Mairi Smith put up a long jumper to give the Ephs the lead 23-21.
Arianna Gerig floated the ball up with her right hand for 2 to give the lead back to the Ephs 27-26. The half ended 32-29 in favor of Hamilton.
On the Ephs first possession of the 3
rd quarter,
Arianna Gerig drove to the basket and quick-passed to guard
Ellie Tounkara who had cut through the key and put the ball up for 2. From the top of the key, forward
Mairi Smith took a long jumper and made the game 37-33, Continentals leading. In the later three minutes of the quarter, the Ephs started to break the through the Continentals' defense.
Arianna Gerig scored a layup and 6 free throws, and first-year guard
Hanorah Murphy put up a 3 from the baseline. The Continentals defense held the Ephs to 13 points in the quarter and outscored Williams with 27 points.
The Ephs offense went on a 11-point run in the first 5 minutes of the 4
th quarter.
Logan Coster put one up for 2,
Tatum Leuenberger scored two jumpers and followed it up with a 3 (her 3
rd of the game), and
Arianna Gerig laid it up after 3 scoreless minutes for both sides. Guard
Logan Coster took the game from 64-55, Continentals leading, to 64-57 with a steal on defense and a layup. First-year
Tatum Leuenberger scored her 4
th 3 of the afternoon bringing the Ephs within 4 points of the Continentals 69-65. The game ended with fouls and free throws; the Ephs trying to gain more possessions, but the Continentals took the game 77-66.
Eph head coach
Pat Manning commented, "We didn't play team defense today. Hamilton played a great game and took advantage of every opportunity. I do want to call out
Tatum Leuenberger. I thought she played great and, two other kids,
Mairi Smith and
Logan Coster. I thought they all came out with intensity and led the way in our comeback. They kept fighting and fighting and doing great things on both ends of the court. I give a lot of credit to Hamilton; they played a great game as a team. We just didn't play the team game we needed to play."
The Ephs next will be back at home after a long time on the road. They will play Colby College at 7pm on Friday, January 12
th in Chandler Gymnasium.
