SPRINGFIELD, Mass., November 21, 2006 – Senior forward Maggie Miller scored 29 points to lead her Williams College women’s basketball team to a 75-62 victory over Springfield College tonight in a non-conference game at SC’s Blake Arena.

With the win, Williams, ranked 17th in the d3hoops.com pre-season poll nationally, is now 2-1, while Springfield falls to 1-2.

It was the third time these two teams have played on the same court in three appearances this season. Both teams had played in the Salem State Invitational over the past weekend, although they had not played each other. Both teams had lost to the host Salem State Vikings by close scores, SC by six in the opener on Friday, Williams by three in the championship game on Saturday.

In tonight’s contest, it was pretty much “Miller time” from start to finish. The 6-0 senior forward from Wellesley, Massachusetts was the only player in double figures for either side in the first half with her 13 points. Williams built a 35-24 lead at the break.

When Miller made a lay-up with 19:09 remaining, the Ephs had jumped out to a 39-26 lead. But then the game became more interesting for the home side. Over the course of the next 4 ½ minutes, Springfield outscored Williams, 14-4, taking advantage of a bevy of fast-break hoops. The gap had been closed to 43-40 with 14:31 to play when senior guard Amanda Hill (Cheshire, Conn.) made a lay-up.

But as quickly as SC had closed that gap, Williams then went on a run of its own, outscoring Springfield, 19-4. When senior guard Meghan Stetson (Clinton, N.Y.) hit a three-pointer with 7:41 left, the Ephs led, 62-44. When freshman guard Elizabeth Hansen (Chicago, Ill.) hit another three with 2:47 left, Williams had its largest lead at 24 points (75-51).

From that moment on, Springfield finished the game with an 11-0 run to make it a little more respectable.

Besides her 29 points, Miller also finished with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. She was 14-for-23 from the floor. Stetson finished with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Senior guard Ellen Wilk (Guilford, Conn.) had nine points. Nine different players scored for the Ephs.

For Springfield, an emerging player is sophomore forward Corey Finch (Hanover, Pa.). She scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, shooting 10-of-18 from the floor. These totals come on the heels of her 15-point, 17-rebound effort in last Saturday’s 79-53 victory over Coast Guard.

Two others scored in double figures for the Pride. They were junior guard Tara McCarthy (Bristol, R.I.) with 13 points (and five rebounds), and sophomore center Lauren O’Connor (Valhalla, N.Y.) with 10 points and 12 rebounds. It was O’Connor’s third double-double in three games this season. Hill finished with nine points, four assists, and two steals.

Springfield dominated the boards, winning that battle, 45-30. But turnovers proved decisive as Williams forced 31, while committing only 12. Williams also made seven three-pointers. Overall, SC shot .456 from the floor (including .516 in the second half), while Williams shot .451 (including .486 in the second half).

Springfield is now off for a week. Its next game is Tuesday, November 28 at 7 pm versus Western Connecticut State College.

published: 11/21/2006