WILLIAMSTOWN – Williams College (13-7, 2-4 NESCAC) used its best offensive performance of the year to power to a 91-70 win over Westfield State University (13-7, 7-0 MASCAC). Senior Jill Valley led the way for the Owls with 18 points and was backed up by double digit performances from teammates Kirsy Segarra and Kierra McCarthy. The Ephs were led by a monster double-double from junior Kristin Fechtelkotter, who racked up 29 points and 25 rebounds in the contest, both career highs.
The Owls trailed 25-21 after the first quarter, but hit a dry spell midway through the second quarter. The Owls endured a 4:20 scoring drought that saw the Ephwomen’s lead balloon from four points to 16 points.
KIERRA McCARTHY
Westfield’s Susan Bell kickstarted a 10-2 run to bring the Owls within single digits, but the Ephs responded in kind with a 7-0 run to end the half, capped off by a three pointer from first year Emily Chang that set the score at 52-37 when the buzzer sounded. Chang finished with 13 in the game.
Williams got off to its best offensive start of the year during the first half, matching their 52 points with a 52% shooting percentage.
Fechtelkotter was often the beneficiary of easy looks, scoring 14 points in the first half and adding 14 rebounds to complete her double-double by halftime. Junior Amanni Fernandez showed her offensive versatility, both attacking on the dribble and stretching the floor with two three pointers in the half. Valley made the most of her 10 minutes on the floor in the first half, scoring 12 points.
Williams held the Owls at bay throughout the second half, quickly pushing the lead to as many as 23 points, and Westfield was unable to get the lead under 16 the rest of the way.
The loss snaps a seven game winning streak for Westfield, with all the wins coming in MASCAC play. The Owls last loss was in their last non-conference game against national #9 ranked and unbeaten Ohio Northern back on December 30.
Williams will play its last four games against conference opponents, starting with a Connecticut road trip this weekend. Williams faces Wesleyan on Friday and Connecticut College on Sunday in two games that will determine their postseason fate. Westfield State returns to MASCAC play, hosting MCLA on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. – Courtesy of Westfield State University/Williams Sports
