The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team overcame a rough start and shook off the rust from 14 days off with a 74-58 victory over the Newport News Apprentice School on Wednesday night at Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles, who improve to 13-4 on the season, were led by double doubles from sophomore Daniel Peterson and senior Anias Saunders, and 16 points from senior Ra'Shawn Cook, whose seven straight points early in the second half gave UMW a lead they would not relinquish.

In the early going, both teams struggled offensively as both squads showed strong defense. In the early going, there were five lead changes and to ties, and the Eagles found their first cushion with 11:47 on a three point play from Peterson, 15-10. Da'Shawn Cook and Ra'Shawn Cook followed with baskets to up the lead to 19-10 with 10:33 left.

Apprentice would trim the margin to two, at 29-27 with 3:15 left, but a Colin Coyne dunk pushed the Eagle lead back to four before the Bulders closed the half with the final two points.

In the second, Apprentice took a 36-33 lead in the opening minutes, before Ra'Shawn Cook took over, scoring eight straight points to give UMW a 41-36 lead with 14:59 remaining. A three pointer from sophomore Zack Blue and a pair of baskets from senior Emmanuel Aghayere pushed the margin to 48-36 with 11:59 to go.

A Peterson three with 10:45 upped the margin to 53-41, but the Builders responded with six straight to draw to within 53-47. Peterson then hit another triple, pushing the lead to nine. Apprentice wouldn't go away, trimming the margin to four, at 60-56, with 6:09 left, but a Da'Shawn Cook three with 5:12 left returned the lead to nine. UMW would connect on their free throws down the stretch for the 16-point victory.

Peterson had 16 points and 11 rebounds, going 5-7 from the field, making all three of his three-point attempts. Ra'Shawn Cook scored 16 as well, and Saunders had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

UMW shot 40.3% from the field (27-67), making 8-28 three point tries and 12-16 free throws. Apprentice shot 36.7% (22-60), making 4-21 from distance and 10-17 from the free throw line.

The Eagles will return to action on Friday, when they host Regent University at 1:30 p.m.