BENNINGTON, Vt. – The Southern Vermont College men's basketball team fell to the visiting Williams College 93-45 Tuesday night at the Mountaineer Athletic Center.
The Ephs, ranked No. 9 in Division III, shot 66.7 percent from the field in the victory, 75 percent of their shots falling in the second half. 13 Williams players scored in the non-conference win.
Mountaineer senior captain Taeshon Johnson (Charlotte, N.C.) recorded a game-high 22 points, and Williams junior center Michael Mayer (Durham, N.C.) matched that mark.
A close game at the start, Williams was able to use its height advantage to gain an edge on the boards and turned rebounds into points. The Mountaineers responded early to keep the score close with a Johnson layup closing SVC to within five as the scoreboard read 16-11 with just under nine minutes to play.
The Ephs took a quick timeout and sent the starting five back out to the court; a 10-0 Williams run ensued and Southern Vermont found itself playing catch-up for the remainder.
Johnson attempted to help carry the Mountaineers with strong drives through the lane and a 3-pointer before the end of the first stanza, but Williams' efficiency and a 16-point half by Mayer had the Ephs up 45-24 at the break.
Williams came out of the locker room with a foot on the pedal and went on an 11-2 run to open the period before SVC used a timeout. The Mountaineers continued to fight for every loose ball and play with heart, however, the Ephs went 15-20 from the floor to keep separation on the scoreboard and leave with the 93-45 win.
Johnson grabbed a team-high seven rebound, five coming on the offensive glass. Sophomore captain Jermaine Campbell (Bridgeport, Conn.) had game-highs of five assists and three steals to go along with six boards. Freshman guard Jacob Schongar (Lansingburgh, N.Y.) had five points and five rebounds off the bench in the effort.
Mayer was followed on the Ephs by junior forward Taylor Epley (Louisville, Ky.) who recorded 16 points in the win. Sophomore forward John Weinheimer (River Forest, Ill.) had nine points and five rebounds off the bench for Williams. The Ephs carried a 53-34 advantage on the boards.
Southern Vermont returns to New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) play Thursday when the Mountaineers (0-19 overall, 0-10 NECC) host Wheelock College at 8 p.m. The Ephs (18-2 overall, 6-0 NESCAC) resume New England Small College Athletic Conference action Friday in a 6 p.m. matchup at Colby College.