BENNINGTON, VT – The Williams men's basketball team defeated the Southern Vermont Mountaineers (0-19) 93-45 tonight.  With the win, the Ephs move to 18-2 on the year. The two teams faced off in their season openers this year, and the Ephs won that match-up 81-51.

Williams began to pull away just five minutes into the game when they went on an 16-4 run that spanned ten minutes. Captain James Klemm started the run with a downtown three off of a pretty pass from Michael Mayer. On the next Eph possession, Mayer finished inside to push the lead to 13-7. Taylor Epley followed the lay-up with a long ball. Tavaris Jenkins broke up the run with a pretty jumper to cut the lead to five.

The Ephs, however, wouldn't let up.  Epley hit another three pointer, and Mayer and Daniel Wohl each had a lay-up to push the lead to 12.  Wohl then went 1-for-2 from the charity stripe and Mayer had yet another finish inside. Taeshon Johnson scored for the Mountaineers to make it 26-13. The Ephs finished up the run with a three ball and pair of free throws from Epley and a lay-up from Luke Thoreson that made their lead 33-13. The Ephs continued to push for the rest of the half and went into the locker room with the 45-24 lead.

Out of the break, the Ephs continued to add to their lead with a three-pointer from Epley and a lay-up from Nate Robertson.  The Mountaineers continued to fight to get back in the game, and Johnson finished in the lane. Matt McCreary, however, responded with one of his own before Mayer hit a pair of free throws and a lay-up. Despite aggressive play from Southern Vermont, the Mountaineers were unable to cut into the Ephs lead, and Williams defeated them for the second time this year.

Mayer posted a double-double tonight for the Ephs with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He was 10-for-11 from the field.  Epley was the only other Eph in double digits with 16. Williams shot 52.3% from the field tonight.

Leading the way for the Mountaineers was Johnson with 22 points. No other Southern Vermont players were in double digits.  The Mountaineers shot 26.9% from the field tonight.

The Ephs will return to the court on Friday at Colby.  Game time is set for 6:00 PM.