Box Score Box Score

BOSTON—Fourteenth-ranked Williams defeated William Smith 72-55 in the opening game of the Emmanuel College Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament in the Jean Yawkey Center today.

The Herons struggled to find their range against the Ephs (1-0), shooting just 32.3 percent from the floor. William Smith was also outrebounded 48-36.

Midway through the first half, the Herons used a 7-1 surge to take their biggest lead of the game, 15-11. Senior Mollie Danahy ignited the run with a three-pointer on her way to a team-high 13 points. Williams struck back with seven unanswered points reclaim the lead for good.

William Smith trailed by just one, 18-17, with 6:27 left in the first half, but the Ephs finished the session with a 19-9 push to carry a 37-26 lead into the break.

Danahy and sophomore Sydni Salvatore made free throws to open the second half scoring, to trim the Heron deficit to nine, but Claire Baecher counter with a three to put the Williams lead back into double digits for good.

Junior Kristen Kush joined Danahy in double figures with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. First-year Jacqueline Murphy also corralled seven boards for the Herons.

Williams got 21 points off the bench from Luigia Goodman. Baecher added 18 points, while Lisa Jaris chipped in 10. Taylor Shea pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. The Ephs shot 43.1 percent from the floor, including 10-of-21 (.476) from behind the arc.

The Herons (0-2) will face the College of Staten Island (0-1), an 85-40 loser to the host Saints, in the tournament consolation game on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m.