MBB: NESCAC

[SpringSt7]

I believe that is what they call a statement win for the defending champs

[SpringSt7]

Wesleyan 27 Williams 26 at half. A familiar rock fight between these two but Jackson Rein has 12 while Pohlman and Wolinski have combined for 24. Otherwise the usual grit and grind Williams Wesleyan game. The Ephs are just so limited at guard and even more limited down low today with no Hudson Hansen, but if they execute and run their stuff they seem to be able to get Rein in position to be productive and get open shots for the others.

Will take a great 20 minutes but would be a massive win for Williams if they can steal this one

[D3BBALL]

I believe that is what they call a statement win for the defending champs

Yes and if Okorougo shoots from the outside they way he did today not sure anyone can beat them.

[SpringSt7]

Wesleyan pulls away and beats Williams 65-54. Too many long dry spells on offense not helped by missed lay ups and poor FT shooting (4-11!) did the Ephs in tonight, and then with the offensive struggles came an increase in Wesleyan offensive rebounding and hustle plays that made the difference.

We are quickly beating a dead horse but for Williams, someone in the backcourt needs to step up if they want to accomplish anything of note. Matt Devine had a nice game off of the bench, 13 points on 5-9 shooting in 16 minutes. With 13 days until the next game, natural to wonder if he will be prepped by the staff to step up into a bigger role. But he is also not a lead ball handler by nature and they just don't have any sort of creation off of the dribble to force the defense to rotate. O, Cooley, Belcher, someone has to find a way to get into the paint more consistently and make something happen.

[nescac1]

The usual ugly, low-scoring, defensive-oriented Williams-Wesleyan game.  The Ephs today were missing Hudson Hansen and without Hansen and Lee there just isn't enough offense, especially with another brutal free-throw shooting day (the second time FTAs really hurt in a loss this year) and also missing a few point-blank layups. 

For Williams, Jackson Rein was dominant on both ends in the first half but had to expend a ton of energy keeping the Ephs in the game, and Wesleyan did a good job clamping down on him in the second half as he got very few clean touches. Aidan Yates looked good especially when he went to the basket, but he had an uncharateristically rough day at the line.  Matt Devine continues to play great off the bench and I think is earning more and more playing time, they really need his offense out there.  Finally, EJ Sommers looked very sharp considering he's a FY in his first Little 3 game and he has been out with an injury for several weeks.  He's surprisingly smooth off the dribble for a big guy and will be a major factor on both ends as the season moves along. Most of the rest of the team had a pretty rough day and the Eph guards struggled against Wesleyan's tough backcourt. Once the Ephs finally have Hansen, Sommers, and Rein altogether, I think no one will be able to match up with that trio up front.  And the Ephs need them to be a dominant trio because the backcourt will be a bit of an adventure most nights. 

Wesleyan is FAR from last year's Final Four team but as always they play with a lot of grit and toughness especially on defense.  Their seniors were great today, especially Sam Pohlmann, who has really emerged as the team leader in his first season as a full-time starter.  After a rough first half Hauser had a big second half, and Cormier always does more than his stats reflect.  The Wesleyan bench had a very rough day offensively but it didn't matter in the end given the Ephs' struggles to get the ball in the hoop.