WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The No. 25 Pomona-Pitzer men's basketball team fell to No. 14 Williams 78-53 in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Sagehens fell behind early and never quite recovered with the Ephs shooting 53.7% from the field on the night and 47.8% from three with 11 three-pointers made in the contest. Pomona-Pitzer was held to a 29.2% field goal percentage and 25.0% three-point percentage in the game. The Sagehens were led by Joe Cookson with 12 points while Brendan Mora turned in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Pete Boyle had q0 points on the night with five rebounds, one block, one assist, and one steal. With the loss, the Sagehens season ends with an overall record of 20-7, their fourth-straight 20-win season in program history and fourth-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
After a scoreless opening minute, the Ephs started the game with a three-pointer to spark a 56 second 7-0 run. The Sagehens ended the run with two free throws from Joe Cookson and a jumper from Brendan Mora, but the Ephs surged forward with a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 16-4 with 12:29 to play in the first half. Pete Boyle made the two baskets for the Sagehens, but Williams continued to attack, hitting a three to extend their lead to 23-11. Peyton Mullarkey hit a corner three-pointer to close the gap to 23-14 with 9:51 in the half but the Sagehens continued to struggle to gain momentum. The Ephs hit three-straight three-pointers to force the Sagehens to call a timeout, trailing 32-16. Down the stretch of the first half, the Ephs and Sagehens went an even 11-11 to going into the halftime break at 43-27 with Williams ahead.
Pomona-Pitzer shot better in the second half, but the Ephs didn't slow down their pace of place, hitting six threes in the half while shooting 12-25 from the field. The Sagehens hit three threes off the hands of Pete Boyle and Brendan Mora in the second half. The Sagehens were able to cut the Ephs lead to 16 points at 52-36 with a layup from Brendan Mora with 16:18 left to play. Williams made a three-pointer to surpass the 60-point mark, taking the lead at 62-43 before making their way to the 78-53 victory over Pomona-Pitzer.
As mentioned, the Sagehens season comes to a close with an overall record of 20-7, marking their fifth 20-win season in program history, their fourth-straight, overlapping with four-straight NCAA Tournament trips.
