Williams women’s basketball team fell to Trinity, 75-70
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A Trinity post player threw a shot up in the lane in hopes of avoiding the shot clock violation. While the Williams bench and crowd were screaming for a violation, the referees did not agree and let play continue. The Ephs on court stopped playing, and Christine Card layed the ball in for two.
While Williams head coach Pat Manning pleaded her case, it was no use, and Williams couldn’t even get a shot off in the last ten seconds, and fell to Trinity, 75-70, on Senior Day. Prior to the game, the Ephs honored seniors Mika Peterman, Patricia Ludwig, and Lindsay Millert for their efforts.
“We had our play set up if we got a defensive stop,” said Manning. “I can’t believe that that rebound counted, but we have to play until we hear the whistle. We thought the time was up, but there is no excuse to stop playing.”
Williams led for 37:51, similar to yesterday’s game at Amherst, starting the game off strong. The Ephs built up an eight point lead, 14-6, before the Bantams neared within four. At the 6:33 mark, Williams regained their eight- point advantage after Jessica Harris stole the ball under the basket for two.
The Ephs led by as many as twelve points at the 2:46 mark, 32-24, but led at the half by only five. They fouled on a three-point shot, and on the ensuing play, sending Trinity to the line to narrow the gap at half, 36-31.
Williams came out firing out of intermission. Mika Peterman and Chessie Jackson drained back-to-back three’s, expanding the Williams lead to its largest of the night at thirteen. The Bantams could not be put away, and crawled to within six in a one-minute span at the 16:46 mark, 46-40.
At the ten-minute mark, the trouble started for Williams. Trinity tied the game at 57 apiece, starting to hit tough shots, and notched their first lead at the 2:11 mark.
Looking at the stat sheet, one would be hard pressed to figure out how the Ephs lost this basketball game. Williams led Trinity in rebounds (48 to 40), assists (21 to 14), steals (13 to 7). The shooting percentages were comparable, and each team shot exactly 34 field goals.
Where the Ephs lost the game was from the free throw line, going an abysmal 0- for-7 from the stripe, and 0-for-4 in the final minute of play. Points, that if had been made, would have tied the game or taken the lead in two different instances. Instead the Ephs were forced to play from behind all of the last minute.
Four of the five Ephs starters scored in double figures. Taylor Shea and Mika Peterman scored 10 apiece, while Shea added 13 rebounds for a double-double. Jill Greenberg manned the floor at point, contributing 15 points. Jessica Harris led all Ephs with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Michelle Royals led all scorers with 23 points. Christine Card added 18 points and 9 boards.
Williams is the 8th seed in the NESCAC tournament, and will play against the number-one seed, Bowdoin, next Saturday. The Ephs lost to Bowdoin on February 7, 91-58.
