Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY --
Angela Botiba recorded her third double-double of the season, but it was not enough as the Skidmore College women's basketball team fell against #5 Williams College, 55-34, Tuesday night at the Williamson Sports Center.
Botbia led the Thoroughbreds with 12 points and 14 rebounds,
Molly McLaughlin, contributed nine points, four rebounds and two assists and
Jordyn Wartts had seven points and six rebounds.
Kellie Macdonald was the top scorer for the Ephs, producing 19 points and five rebounds. Oge Uwanaka scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds and Katie Litman chipped in with seven points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
The two teams traded baskets in the opening five minutes of play, but Williams started to pull away with a 7-0 run capped by a Devon Caveney three-pointer. Skidmore cut the lead to 15-13 with a 7-2 run with baskets from McLaughlin,
Ella Scheuerell and Botiba.
The Thoroughbreds continued to chip away at the lead over the next three minutes, but the Ephs carried a 24-17 lead into the break, outscoring Skidmore 7-2 over the final four minutes of the half.
Macdonald extended the Williams lead to 10 with the first shot of the second half, knocking down a three pointer. Botiba brought Skidmore back with seven at 29-22, converting layup plus the ensuing foul shot, but that is as close as the Thoroughbreds would get, as the Ephs pulled away for the 55-34 win.
"I am proud of the way our team competed against a very strong team tonight," said Skidmore coach Darren Bennett. "We grew tonight and got better at some things, yet have a long ways to go in our seasons journey. After the game we talked about the small things you take away from tough losses, and for us tonight it was our defense and our ability to hold a team that averages 68 points per game to 55 points and 33 percent shooting from the field.
"We out rebounded them, had more offensive rebounds than them, took more free throws than them and held them to 17 percent shooting from behind the arc. Williams is long, athletic and deep. They are shot blockers and their length tightens the court and makes passing out of double teams difficult and dribble- drive kick-outs difficult as well.
"Our effort on the boards was solid and our inside game continues to grow. We have to continue working on taking care of the ball and protecting the defensive boards and things will be fine."
The Thoroughbreds (1-4) host Middlebury College Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
