West Massachusetts News

Williams’ Unshakeable Defense Leads To Win Over Southern Virginia, 69-45

Keeping the Knights to just 29% shooting through the afternoon, Williams (8-4, 0-0, NESCAC) came out on top over Southern Virginia, 69-45. 

The turning point of the game came in the second quarter. After narrowly edging out the Knights to win the first 21-20, the Ephs ramped up their defensive effort, keeping Southern Virginia to just 19% shooting in the second. Maddy Mandyck led the charge on both sides of the ball, making five of her six shots and picking up three steals in the second. 

The first quarter was the toughest of the game. The Knights both outshot and out-rebounded the Ephs, making 9-16 to Williams' 7-15 and picking up 13 rebounds to the Ephs' 4. However, Williams was able to recoup their losses by capitalizing on Southern Virginia's turnovers and fouls, gaining 13 points off turnovers and shooting 7-10 from the line. The Knights were only able to get two points off turnovers and went to the line just once. 

In the last three and a half minutes of the second quarter, the Ephs went on a blazing 11-0 run, pushing the lead to 40-28 at the break. Ball movement was crucial to Williams' offense, and the whole team got involved in the run— nine of the eleven points were assisted. 

Though the Knights became more aggressive in the third, completing two and-one plays, they still had trouble getting the ball to fall, and only shot 25% in the period. Williams shot at a higher rate and got to the free throw line four times, widening the lead by seven points over the quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, holding a 19 point lead, the Ephs were able to get more players involved, and Logan Coster got her first career points, scoring both a jumper and a layup. The Ephs slowed the pace a bit in the final quarter, but managed to grow their lead, ending the game 69-45. 

Head coach Pat Manning was very pleased with the team's performance, saying: "This was one of the best complete games that we've had. We had an awesome first half and we played even tougher in the second half. We rebounded better and forced them into some tough shots. It was a great defensive effort." 

She asserted that defense and composure was what the game came down to. "[Southern Virginia is] a good team— they're fast, they really want to run and push the pace. It was back and forth. It was a great first quarter, we started to pull away a little bit towards the end of the second quarter, and I think it came down to our defense. Off turnovers we had 31 points to their 4. They pressed other teams and had a lot of success with it, but we were ready for it. Devin and Maddy really executed our press break well." 

She then discussed individual contributions, noting that "Devin really kept her head. She had five assists to one turnover. They were pressing us most of the game, so it was key that Devin kept calm and kept our team calm. Cortland played great D as well, and Ryann had a solid game. Mia off the bench was key for us." 

She gave special recognition to Maddy Mandyck, saying "Maddy was dominant, [she had] 21 points and 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks, 5 steals, just unbelievable. Though yesterday was a little sloppier, she was dominant yesterday as well. She's just getting better and better."

The Ephs have just under two weeks until they play their next game, against Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Jan. 3. The game will take place at home in Chandler Gymnasium, and will be the team's final non-conference game before NESCAC play. 

Original source can be found here