NEW LONDON, Conn.—Senior guard Kellie McDonald (Danvers, Mass.) poured in 18 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and a pair of blocked shots to lead the Williams College women's basketball team to a critical 78-69 NESCAC win at Connecticut College Friday night.

With the victory, the Ephs (18-5, 6-3 NESCAC) secure home court for the opening round of the 2015 NESCAC Championship Tournament that will commence next Saturday at campus sites of the top four seeded teams.

The Camels fell to 15-8 and moved to 5-4 in conference play. They have already clinched their third berth in the NESCAC Championship Tournament in the past four years but they can no longer host a home game in the tourney.

Sophomore guard Lauren McCall (Natick, Mass.) chipped in with 12 points and four rebounds for the winning side. Amanni Fernandez (Queens, N.Y.) reached double digits with 10 points and five boards for the Ephs.

Connecticut College freshman Mairead Hynes (Mahopac, N.Y.) exploded with a game-high 26 points and 16 rebounds, shooting 10-for-15 from the field and 6-for-8 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Liz Malman (Mendham, N.J.) netted 16 points while adding two assists for the hosts.

The Camels struggled from the field but were able to keep the game tight by knocking down 20-of-25 shots from the charity stripe.

McDonald vaulted the visitors out to a 41-37 advantage with her 10 points at the break, shooting 5-for-7 from the field in the first stanza.

In the second half, the Camels stuck with the visitors for most of the way. Emily Hickey (Salem, N.H.) buried a three-pointer from the baseline with 7:58 remaining that sparked the Camels on a 5-0 run that pulled the hosts to within 59-57 with 6:58 to go.

But Williams countered with a 9-to-1 run of their own and when McCall buried a trey from the left side of the arch with 4:36 remaining, the visitors had pushed their lead back to 67-58.

Hynes continued to battle in the post and took a nice entry pass from Kaitlyn Cresencia (New Providence, N.J.) in the paint to pull the Camels to within 71-65 with 53 seconds left.

But the Camels could not get any closer and Williams was able to close out the game with a pair of McDonald free throws.

Both teams will close out the season tomorrow with 3:00 p.m. game in the Nutmeg State. The Ephs visit Wesleyan University while the Camels host senior day here in New London against Hamilton College.