Williams College Men's Basketball Defeats Elmira, 85-64
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Prior to the game, the Ephs spent two days in Washington, DC, sightseeing and getting accustomed to playing basketball again following the break for exams and the holidays. In addition to practice, the team visited many DC landmarks, including the Lincoln Monument, the Vietnam Memorial and the World War Two Memorial. The team then traveled to Randolph Macon to take on the Soaring Eagles.
Elmira, now 1-8, battled with Williams as the game began, as the game remained tied, 9-9, through five minutes of play. Williams was able to open up an 18-12 lead on a Rubin three with 12:26 to go in the half; from there, they controlled the play, leading by as many as 14 with eight minutes left to play before ending the half up 10, 46-36.
The Ephs statistically had an excellent half, shooting 57% from the field and holding the Soaring Eagles to a 39% shooting mark. Rubin keyed the Eph attack in the first, scoring 14 points on 5-6 shooting. Co-captain Blake Schultz, the NESCAC’s leading scorer coming into the game, had 9 first-half points on 3-5 shooting, and freshman point-guard Nate Robertson picked up five assists in the half.
Elmira’s stepped up its defense in the second half, holding Williams to only 41% shooting. However, the Ephs improved their play on the defensive end as well, forcing the Soaring Eagles to shoot only 30% from the field. Their defensive effort, combined with 7-2 advantage on three point baskets in the half, allowed the Ephs to extend their lead and ultimately win, 85-64.
Schultz ended the game with 12 points and 4 rebounds, and Harlan Dodson added 9 on 3 threes. Troy Whittington helped the Ephs on the defensive end with 4 blocks and 7 rebounds to go with 4 points, and Will hardy added 9 points in 19 minutes. Robertson finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The Ephs shot 49% from the field on the day, their lowest percentage since they took on MCLA in North Adams exactly one month ago on Nov. 29, but shot 56% from behind the arc in the game while holding the Eagles to only 26% shooting from distance. The Ephs picked up assists on 20 of their 30 baskets, and won the rebounding battle against the Eagles 44-33.
Head Coach Mike Maker felt the team came together well and was pleased with the performance, particularly considering the length of time since its last game. “You’re always concerned as a coach the first game back after a long break,” said Maker. “I thought it took us a little while to get our rhythm offensively and our effort and our communication defensively, but once we did, I thought we played efficient basketball at both ends of the floor.”
The Ephs will now take on the Randolph Macon Yellow Jackets, who defeated MCLA tonight, 82-52, in the championship of the tournament tomorrow night. The Yellows Jackets, ranked No. 5 in the country, will provide a great test for the Ephs, who are currently ranked No. 12.
Maker says that Williams will be focused on their own play going into the game tomorrow. “We’re going to make it, as always, about us,” he said. “ Randolph Macon is well coached and we have great respect for them as a basketball program, but as much as we respect them it is about our play, our execution offensively and, on the other end defensively they are a handful to guard because they have great balance … It’s going to be a challenge and we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
