WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Bates College saw its modest three-game winning streak come to a close Friday night as the Bobcats, visiting NESCAC rival Williams College, dropped a 71-60 decision to the Ephs in a crucial men's basketball conference contest for both squads.

Bates came out hot in the first half as the Bobcats concocted an early 13-6 lead, capped by a Chiwer Mayen slam 4:38 into the game. The seven-point cushion would hold firm until the 4:32 mark of the stanza as a pair of successful Mayen free throws made it 27-20 visitors. 

Williams proceeded to find its rhythm as the home team mounted a swift 10-0 surge to take a 30-27 surplus with 34 seconds remaining before the break. Marc Begin II, whose clutch three-pointer in the waning seconds forced overtime in last Saturday's road win at UMass Dartmouth, hit another big shot on this night as the sophomore's trey with eight ticks left tied the contest at 30-30 heading into intermission.

Williams opened the second session with a 6-0 spurt as the Ephs would not play from behind again the rest of the way. Bates climbed to within a single point three times in the half, with the final occurrence coming at 13:34 when Sean O'Leary's lay-in sliced the Bobcat deficit to 40-39. Williams then unleashed a 13-4 run to secure a double-digit advantage of 54-43 with 6:44 to go.

Babacar Pouye's three-pointer at the 5:49 mark inched the visitors to within six at 55-49, but the Ephs outscored its guest 16-11 the rest of the way to secure their second NESCAC win on the year (13-7, 2-4 NESCAC).

The Ephs shot a healthy 53.7% from the floor, which included a sizzling 62% in the second half. The victors also dominated the offensive paint, scoring 46 points from close range. Bates, in contrast, tallied only 16 points from their lane. 

Four players achieved double-digit scoring lines for Williams with Alex Lee (17 points) leading the way. Hudson Hansen followed with 15 points, while Brandon Roughley and Evan Glatzer connected for 11 and 10, respectively.

The aforementioned Pouye paced the garnet and white with 16 points in the effort, including a game-best three baskets from beyond the arc. Peter Psyhogeos netted 12 points for the Bobcats and snared a team-high eight boards.

Bates (10-9, 1-4 NESCAC) gets right back to action Saturday at 5:00 p.m. with a showdown at Middlebury on the slate.