WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. — The Williams College women's basketball team fell 64–51 to Bates College on Friday night at Chandler Athletic Center in NESCAC play.
With the result, the Ephs moved to 9–10 overall and 3–3 in conference action, while Bates improved to 17–2 and 4–1 in league play.
Williams jumped out to an early advantage, using a balanced offensive attack to take a 15–8 lead after the first period. Bates responded in the second period, outscoring the Ephs 17–11 to pull within one point, 26–25, at halftime.
The back-and-forth battle continued into the second half, with Bates taking its first lead of the game heading into the final quarter. The Bobcats then pulled away in the fourth, outscoring Williams 20–9 to take their largest lead of the night and secure the road victory.
Micah Walton led the Ephs with 21 points, shooting 9-for-15 from the field and pulling down five rebounds.
Kathleen Smith finished with 8 points and paced Williams with a team-high eight rebounds, providing a steady presence in the paint.
Hanorah Murphy contributed 8 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while
Gracie Augustine added 9 points and three rebounds off the bench in relief.
As a team, the Ephs shot 41.2% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range, while going 7-for-13 at the free-throw line.
Defensively, Williams battled on the boards with 36 total rebounds, and forced 13 turnovers in the effort.
Bates was paced by Sarah Hughes' 17 points and Claire Gaetani's 14 points, to secure the Bobcats' win.
Williams will return to Chandler Athletic Center for a non-conference matchup against Curry College, with tipoff set for 3 p.m.
