Springfield, Mass. - December 6, 2014 - Despite a valiant second-half comeback, the Springfield College men's basketball team was defeated by visiting Williams College, 67-59, in Blake Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Wiliams has now won seven-straight games to improve to 7-2, while the Pride dropped its third-straight game to fall to 4-3.  Both teams were receiving votes in this week's D3Hoops.com National Poll.

Sean Martin (Rindge, N.H.) did everything he could to keep the Pride in the game, pouring in 18 points to go along with a career-high 13 rebounds and three blocks.  Josh Altman (Rockport, Mass.) added 13 points and seven boards, while Tim Swenson (Millbury, Mass.) hauled in 14 boards.

Williams was paced by a trio of players in double figures, led by Daniel Wohl's game-high 20 points.  Hayden Rooke-Ley added 15 points, six boards, and four assists, while Ryan Kilcullen chipped in 12 points. 

Springfield held a 53-38 edge on the board, but committed 14 turnovers in the game which Williams turned into 16 points.

The Pride took an early 7-3 lead following a three in transition from Nick Sienkieicz (Cranston, R.I.) at the 17:44 mark of the opening half of play, but Williams battled their way back into the game thanks to the deep ball, connecting on six three pointers to earn a 28-17 lead with 7:58 on the clock.  

The guard play of Martin and Andy McNulty (West Springfield, Mass.) brought the Pride back, as the duo led a 9-0 surge to get Springfield within 28-26, with 3:30 to go in the half.

Daniel Aronowitz eventually scored the Ephs first points in over six minutes, canning a straightaway three with 1:56 to play.  Springfield, which turned the ball over four times in its last six possessions of the half, went into the break facing a 31-26 deficit.

The Ephs netted the first five points of the second half, with Rooke-Ley burying a three from the left wing to force Springfield into a timeout trailing 36-26 just 1:27 into the frame.  Springfield poured on an 8-0 surge, with an Altman put back making it a 36-34 game.

Swenson hauled in an offensive board and finished inside to make it a 51-50 game with 7:36 to go, forcing a Williams timeout.  Out of the break, Altman connected on a pull up jumper to put Springfield ahead for the first time since 16:31 remaining in the first half.

The teams traded baskets, only to have Williams reel off nine unanswered points over the next 2:58 to take a commanding 63-54 lead.  A triple from Altman 14 seconds remaining brough Springfield within six, but the Ephs would ulitmatley escape with a 67-59 win.

The Pride will play its final home game of the first semester next Wednesday when it hosts Westfield State at 7:00 pm.