New Paltz, NY - Fifth-ranked Williams College men’s basketball was challenged by SUNY New Paltz tonight, but was able to come out unscathed, pulling out a 70-68 victory in the game’s final seconds. James Wang scored 16 points and hit two free throws with 11 seconds remaining to give the Ephs a 69-68 lead and, ultimately, the victory, as New Paltz could not counter in the game’s final seconds.
The first half saw the Ephs unable to hold any sort of significant lead; although they led by as many as 10 in the half, the team was only leading 39-32 headed into the half. Williams hit 50% of its field goals in the half, stellar when compared to New Paltz’s 40% shooting in the half but well below what the Ephs are capable of. Coming into the game, the team had shot over 55% for three straight halves.
The second half was a different story, as New Paltz was able to knock down 56% of its shots, while Williams could only shoot 46%. The Hawks went on a 12-4 run in the half’s opening five minutes to go up 46-43; the two teams would battle the rest of the way. The Ephs were unable to take the lead again until there was 8:20 left to play, when an 8-0 run put the Ephs up 64-60.
As the game entered its last two minutes, the Ephs held a slim 65-64 lead, and a free throw from co-captain Blake Schultz put the Ephs up 66-64 with only 1:09 remaining. The Hawks countered with a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining to make the 68-67. Wang drove the lane on the next Eph possession and was fouled; cool under pressure, the sophomore point guard knocked down both free throws to put the Ephs on the way to victory. Nate Robertson was fouled after a Hawk missed three and made one of two free throws to make the final score 70-68.
Troy Whittington came off the bench to lead the Ephs with 19 points while also blocking 5 shots and collecting 4 rebounds. Schultz finished the game with 17 points and 5 boards, and Wang added 4 boards to his 16 points.
Eph head coach Mike Maker was ultimately pleased with the win, though felt his team did not execute to perfection. “Any road win is very difficult to get,” said the coach. “I thought it was a hard fought contest. We got the defensive stops when we needed them, and we got plays offensively. New Paltz is a very athletic team – they are strong off the bounce and tough to guard – and we couldn’t find our rhythm offensively, but found a way to make plays when it mattered. It was not pretty, but we found a way to get a win.”
Williams will now take on Little-Three foe Wesleyan on the road on Friday at 8 p.m. on Friday before facing off with Conn. College on Saturday, again on the road.
