Springfield, Mass. – November 20, 2012 – A late second-half charge fell short as the Springfield College women’s basketball team lost its home opener to Williams College, 43-31, on Tuesday evening in non-conference action in Blake Arena.

Williams, which was ranked 25th nationally in this afternoon’s USA TODAY Sports Division III Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, improves to 3-0 with the victory. Springfield dropped its second-straight game to fall to 1-2.

The Ephs were led by Ellen Cook, who netted a game-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Danny Rainer added 10 rebounds, five points, and four assists, while Claire Baecher totaled six points, four boards, and three blocks. Williams shot 18-for-57 (.316), but just 3-of-23 (.130) from beyond the arc.

Meghan Biondolillo led Springfield with 10 points, and Emily Walker snagged a game-high 12 rebounds. Andrea Moschetta had a balanced game for the the hosts, totaling eight points, three assists, and three rebounds. The Pride connected on 11 of its 50 attempts in the game, shooting 22% from the floor.

The opening 20 minutes of play was an offensive struggle as the teams combined to shoot 12-for-54 (.222). After a pair from the charity stripe by Springfield’s Jessie Klauer gave the Pride a 4-2 lead at the 13:33 mark, the visitors went on a 9-0 run over the next 8:16 to take a 11-4 advantage. Springfield would battle back, cutting the lead to one at 11-10, following a pair of free throws from Tamara Tribble with 4:21 on the clock. Down the stretch, the Ephs began to heat up, receiving five points from Cook in the final 3:20, to take a 20-14 lead heading into intermission.

Williams opened up the second half on a 9-2 spurt to gain a 29-16 lead with 14:34 remaining in regulation. Biondolillo answered right back with a three to get within 10, only to have Williams respond with the game’s next five points to regain a 15-point cushion. The Pride got as close as 11 following an Emily Taylor jumper in the lane at the 4:33 mark, but Ephs held on for the 43-31 victory.

Springfield will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 28 when it travels to Clark for its New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener.