WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - The Cabrini University women's basketball led by one at the half but ultimately fell to the Williams College Ephs in the first game of the 2021 Shooting Touch Classic at Williamstown, MA on Friday evening.
After leading by one point at halftime, the Cavs struggled to keep pace in the second half, as they were outscored 36-15 in the final two quarters. Williams also earned a decisive advantage on the boards, out rebounding Cabrini 50-36, including a 30-17 margin in the second half.
Miranda Liebtag led the way up front for the Blue and White with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Graduate student
Ashley Tutzauer and freshman
Giana Rullo each added eight points and four boards.
Both teams went toe-to-toe early on in the game, with the Ephs clinging to a narrow lead for most of the first quarter. Williams finished the quarter on a 4-0 run to take a 17-12 lead after ten minutes.
Tutzauer capitalized on a pair of treys within a minute and a half of play early in the second frame but the home team held on to a one point advantage, 19-18. The Ephs responded by going on a 6-0 run in which they forced four Cabrini turnovers.
The Cavs fought right back, however, going on an 8-0 run of their own and holding the Ephs scoreless for the final 5:44 of the half to take a 26-25 lead into the break.
The run was highlighted by a three-pointer from
Leila Collazo with 2:36 to go in the frame, for the Cavs first lead of the game. Cabrini went four for six from beyond the arc in the second quarter after missing all eight attempts in the first.
Williams took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Cavaliers 23-8, including a seven point and nine point run only interrupted by a Rullo layup. Meehan led the Ephs with nine points in the third as the home team took a double-digit advantage into the final quarter, 48-34.
The Ephs continued their strong play in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to as many as 22 points and never letting the Cavaliers get within less than 14 as the home team walked away with the 61-41 victory.
Forwards Maddy Mandyck, 13 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks, and Arianna Gerig, 13 points, 11 rebounds, put up double-doubles for Williams. Meehan finished the game with 12 points, all scored in the second half, and three steals.
Following today's action, the Blue and White move to 2-4 overall on the young season. They will look to get back on track tomorrow as they play their second and final game of the Shooting Touch Classic against Middlebury College, tipoff is scheduled for 1pm.
