Walton dropped 24 points in the Ephs’ victory over Amherst. (Photo courtesy of Maya Singh.)

Women’s basketball (12-12, 5-5 NESCAC) ended a nearly two-decade away drought against Amherst (17-7, 6-4 NESCAC) on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Mammoths 59-44 in a statement victory. This win came the day after the Ephs beat the Hamilton Continentals (12-12, 4-6 NESCAC) 73-63, snapping their four-game losing streak in the NESCAC. These results secured the Ephs the fifth seed in the NESCAC tournament, as they look to carry this momentum into the tournament next week. 

Saturday’s win on the Mammoths’ senior night marked women’s basketball’s first away victory over Amherst since 2006, ending a 19-year away-game losing streak against their rivals.

The victory revitalized the Ephs’ spirits as they approach the postseason. “This win means everything to us going into NESCACs,” forward Mairi Smith ’27 said. “We’ve had a start-and-stop season with some big wins and some losses.”

 “This is a huge confidence builder heading into next weekend that proves we can play with anybody in the NESCAC,” she added. 

The Ephs controlled the game from start to finish, jumping out to an early lead of 12-4 and extending it to 29-10 by halftime. Holding the Mammoths to just 10 points, the Ephs’ first-half defensive performance was their best of the season.

Guard Micah Walton ’28 poured in 24 points and took eight rebounds. Walton wasn’t alone, as forward Kathleen Smith ’27 posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Along with her 30 points and 19 rebounds against Hamilton, Smith’s dominance earned her Div. III National Player of the Week. Meanwhile, guard Logan Coster ’26 chipped in 12 points, including the team’s only two 3-pointers of the game. 

Guard Hanorah Murphy ’27 and forward and guard Tatum Leuenberger ’27 each contributed five rebounds, while Murphy added four points and Leuenberger two. In their balanced attack, the Ephs shot nearly 50 percent from the floor. 

These big performances made a splash. “It was [Amherst’s] senior night, so we wanted to embarrass them to the supreme,” Walton said. “And I think we did.” 

The Ephs’ defensive intensity forced 18 Amherst turnovers and limited the Mammoths to 44 total points, their worst output of the season.

For Smith, the win reflected the team’s collective resolve. “We developed an attitude that we weren’t going to lose and we weren’t going to be embarrassed,” she said. “And we let that carry us.”

Walton also pointed to the team’s mindset entering the matchup. “It was the mentality going into the game,” she said. “We knew that we had to have a sense of urgency, and that a lot was on the line for this game. We played with that energy, and I don’t think [Amherst] was ready for that.” 

Smith highlighted the team’s motivation to prove themselves as another factor in their strong performance. “We’ve been feeling the momentum grow these past couple [of] games … proving that we have a place and we belong,” Smith said. 

“Today was a total team effort,” Smith said. “It really comes from everybody — it’s defensive, it’s offensive, it’s energy on the bench, on the court.” 

Saturday’s victory capped a season marked by adversity, as the Ephs battled injuries and tough losses throughout the year. 

“We really fought this year,” Walton said. “To come back and reel it in for the most crucial point of the season is very telling, that we know what’s at stake, and we know how to deal with adversity and create something positive out of it.” 

Walton credited the team’s resilience to its chemistry off the court. “We’re like a family,” said Walton. “We have the best chemistry I’ve ever experienced on a team. I love them, and it’s very fun to be a part of.” 

Now, the team turns their attention to the NESCAC tournament hosted at Amherst. The Ephs are letting this Saturday’s win drive their confidence heading into their quarterfinal match against Trinity (16-8, 5-5 NESCAC) on Feb. 21.

“I’m just excited for the chance to upset and to surprise people, which I really think we can do,” Smith said. 

Walton’s hopes are high. “I’m excited to win,” Walton said. “I do believe that we have the capabilities to go as far as we can.”