Guards Mark Madison and TJ Jones each scored a team-high 16 points, and junior forward John Lutkenhaus added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team to a 78-60 victory at St. Mary's College on Wednesday evening in St. Mary's City, Md. The Eagles, winners of four straight, improve to 11-9 on the season, and 7-6 in Capital Athletic Conference action.
After a back and forth battle to open play, the Seahawks held an 11-10 lead with 15:01 remaining in the half. From there, the Eagles went on a 9-0 run, and never trailed again. Jones started the streak with a three pointer and added a layup, and Lutkenhaus added two baskets as well.
With the Eagles leading, 21-15, with 12:06 to go, Madison and junior Brent Mahoney poured in three pointers to raise the margin to 12. The Eagles led by as many as 14, before the Seahawks cut the margin to three, at 35-32, with 1:18 remaining in the frame. Junior Matt Forrest then closed the half with a pair of three pointers to lift the Eagles' lead back to nine, at 41-32, at halftime.
In the first portion of the second half, Jones and Madison began to heat up, as the lead swung back and forth between six and 12 points in the Eagles' favor. Leading 60-50 with 8:43 to play, the Eagles scored nine straight and outlasted the hosts, 18-8, down the stretch. Shaw and Jones each had a pair of baskets in the run.
Mary Washington continued to shoot well from behind the three point arc, connecting on 13-26 long range attempts, and shot 46.6% in all (27-58). UMW did struggle from the free throw line, making just 11-23 attempts. St. Mary's shot 37.9% (22-58), making 3-18 three pointers and 13-15 free throws.
Madison made 5-9 shots, including four three pointers en route to 16 points, while Jones added seven rebounds to his 16 points. Lutkenhaus made 7-14 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds including four on the offensive end. Eric Shaw scored 13 points as the fourth Eagle starter in double figures. Delaszo Smith led SMC with 22 points.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday at Salisbury University at 4:00 p.m., with a chance with a win to tie the Sea Gulls for second place in the league standings.