Williamstown, Mass.— The story of today's game was defense. Williams (3-0) kept Vermont State Castleton's (0-4) shooting percentage low all game. The Spartans shot 7% from three and 27% overall. When the first half buzzer sounded, The Spartans had only scored twenty points. The Ephs, on the other hand, scored 38 points in the first half— their best showing of the season.
Alex Lee started things off with a three, assisted by
Noah Dinkins.
Hudson Hansen followed up, scoring in the post. The Spartans' first points were from center Will Radcliff, who drove to right under the basket, before spinning out for a short hook. Radcliff, who was the Spartans' leading scorer, would use this move for many of his points.
Up until 12:00, the teams stayed relatively close, with Castleton staying within five points of Williams. Then, the Ephs pulled away. The Spartans tried to contain the Ephs with multiple variations on a zone defense, but the Ephs played a team-first style of offense that led to 10 of the remaining 14 field goals of the half being assisted.
"We came into the year as a new group, and we lost some great playmakers last year," Eph head coach
Kevin App acknowledged, "but one of the things we've been doing really well these first three games is sharing the ball, trusting the next guy. I thought we did that against the zone today, which was great."
The first half ended 38-20 Williams, and the second half was much of the same. The Ephs grew to understand the Spartans' zone and increased their margin over Castleton, winning the second half 47-16.
Coach App was appreciative of the chance to battle a zone defense so early in the season. "Coach Culpo is a really good coach," he remarked. "We like to play different teams, so sometimes it works out where you play a team that presses, you play a team that's really physical in the post, like in our first two games, and you play a team that plays zone.
"The more we can learn in these games the better," App added, "and I thought our guys did a good job of not overreacting to what zone they were in, and trusting our spacing and concepts."
In the second half, as the Ephs' lead over the Spartans grew, Williams was able to work more guys into the rotation. Two players,
Onyeraluobu Chibuogwu and
Tyler Van Gorp, netted their first points of the season, and first-years
Matthew Nachamkin and
Dylan Shepherd played their first minutes.
"You get to reward everybody," said Coach App of these players' contributions. "Those guys that have been helping us get good in practice finally got their first taste and the starters got to cheer them on."
The team's other three first year players, who have been making their mark early in the season, contributed again today. Aiden Yates had 5 points and 7 rebounds, and
Justin Belcher had 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in just 12 minutes.
Jackson Rein was the Ephs' second leading scorer, adding on 13 points, 2 boards, and 1 assist.
"They've each kind of had their moments already, and shown the strengths that they bring to us," said App of this first-year group. "You go into the year not knowing when first years are going to get the opportunity, but because of some injuries they've gotten it early, and helped us start the season 3-0. It's not easy, and not every group has been able to do it. I said the team's learning a lot— those guys are learning
a ton right now."
Today's season opener is also meaningful for the teams' seniors.
The victory "means a lot," said senior forward
Brandon Roughley, who led the team in scoring this afternoon. "Now that it's senior season, I just realize how fast it flew by. I'm just excited to get out here and play in front of our home crowd. I'm from Berkshire County, so to play in front of a bunch of people from back home is really special, and to do it with this group of guys makes it even more special. I think we've got a great team this year. and could do some really good things."
As part of the Purple & Gold Classic, the Ephs will play No. 10 Keene State tomorrow afternoon, again at 3pm in Chandler Gym.
