While Trinity held the early lead, Williams (21-3, 9-1 NESCAC) quickly took control of the game. With the Ephs down 14-8, Michael Mayer hustled to keep the ball in play under the basket. He bounced the ball to Matt McCreary, who finished in the paint to cut the lead to four. The next time down the court, Mayer drove baseline to make it 14-12 with 11:17 on the clock. Out of a Bantam timeout, the Ephs forced a turnover, and a pass inside from Taylor Epley and a finish from John Weinheimer resulted in a tie game.

 

Trinity, however, took back the lead on a baseline 3-pointer by Hart Gliedman. The Ephs responded with a steal and basket by Matt McCreary. On the following Bantam possession, McCreary came up with a block, and Epley swooshed a 3-pointer to give the Ephs their first lead since the game's opening basket.

 

A pair of free throws from George Papadeas and a pull-up jumper from the left elbow from Mickel Simpson gave Trinity back the lead with just over eight to play. After Nate Robertson went 2-for-2 from the line, Sean Hoffmann came up with a huge block to give the Ephs back the ball.  On the resulting play, he came up with a monstrous dunk on a put-back opportunity to keep the Ephs in control.

 

Trinity kept fighting. Mick Distasio hit a three ball with a hand in his face and Rick Naylor finished a put back to force an Eph timeout with 5:37 left in the half and Trinity leading 26-23. Robertson responded with a drive to the hoop for the Ephs. A couple possessions later, Robertson came up with a steal.  Epley drove to the hoop on the resulting play and was fouled.  He converted the 3-point opportunity to give the Ephs back the lead.

 

Following a Trinity jumper from Jaquann Starks, the Ephs ended the half on a 7-0 run. Robertson finished two layups and was fouled on the second. He made the resulting free throw. Mayer hit a jump shot with just over a minute left in the half to send the Ephs into the locker room with the 35-28 lead.

 

The Ephs had four players in double digits. Robertson led the way with 19 points. Mayer posted a double-double with 13 points and 1- rebounds

 

The Ephs will take the court again on Saturday for the first round of the New England Small College Athletic Conference playoffs, opponent to be determined.