WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Ephs closed out the Shooting Touch Tournament with a 59-55 victory over Eastern Connecticut State Saturday afternoon at Chandler Athletic Center. With the win, Williams improves to 6-3 on the season.
Eastern Connecticut State opened the game on a 12–0 run and carried a 32–27 lead into halftime, but Williams responded with a determined second-half push. The Ephs outscored the Warriors 16–10 in the third quarter and 16–13 in the fourth, taking control down the stretch.
Williams grabbed its first lead of the game in the third quarter when
Micah Walton sank a pair of free throws, and the Ephs never trailed again, locking in defensively to hold the advantage.
Kathleen Smith led the way with a career-high 24 points on 10-14 shooting and added a game-high of 12 rebounds, to secure her third double-double of the season.
Walton also turned in a strong all-around effort, as she scored 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting, sank her lone three-point attempt, and hit 8-of-12 free throws while contributing eight rebounds and five assists.
Williams controlled the glass with a 44–30 edge and scored 36 points in the paint. Defensively, the Ephs forced 21 turnovers and turned them into 16 points.
Williams shot 33.8% from the field and went 14-of-20 at the line, while ECSU shot 43.8% overall and 10-of-15 from the stripe.
Smith was named the Tournament MVP after totaling 30 points and 17 rebounds across the two games. Walton earned Team MVP honors with 25 points and 13 rebounds on the weekend.
The Ephs now break until December 19, when they travel to Nashville for a two-day tournament.
