Partonen and Comden Have Career Days in Win Over Frostburg State, 89-60

Partonen and Comden Have Career Days in Win Over Frostburg State, 89-60

Fredericksburg, Va.-- The University of Mary Washington defeated the Bobcats, 89-60, on Wednesday evening. Senior Sam Partonen and freshman Brianne Comden each had career days to lead the Eagles attack. The victory also gave head coach Deena Applebury her 250th career victory. UMW moves to 12-6, 5-5 CAC on the year. 

UMW put the Bobcats behind early, going on an 8-0 run to give themselves a 14-4 advantage early. Frostburg would answer right back with a 6-0 run of their own, the cut the deficit to four. 

The Eagles hit their stride midway through the half with another 8-2 run, started with a Comden layup on a fastbreak, for an and one. Comden did not stop there, as she scored six of the eight points on the run. 

Comden gave the Eagles their largest lead of the half, with a jumper off a Sam Partonen assist with 2:09 remaining to give the Eagles a 44-24 lead. The Eagles closed the half up 49-33 on the Bobcats, outscoring Frostburg State 22-2 in the paint.

Comden had 13 first half points on 5-7 shooting. Partonen had ten assists, adding two steals and four rebounds in the opening frame. Not to be outdone was Brieneke Matthes, who had 11 big points on 4-4 shooting, including 3-3 from beyond the arc. 

An Aby Diop turnover lead to an Elaina Hummel three to open the second half, to cut the deficit to only 15 at 51-36. However that is as low as the Bobcats would get, as the Eagles dominated the second half. 

A Partonen jumper, followed by a  couple of Comden layups moved the Eagle lead back to 21 at 57-36. Aubrey Howland added to the party with a jumper of her own to make it 61-36 just five minutes into the half.

The Eagle lead never dipped below 20 the rest of the way, and the Eagles saw their biggest lead of the game reach 29 points, as Sarah Listenbee made a layup with 16 seconds left, to put the nail in the coffin. UMW defeated the Bobcats 89-60 to give coach Applebury her 250th career win.

Comden paced the Eagles with a career high 27 points, adding four boards and two blocks on 12-14 shooting. Partonen also had a career high with 14 assists, adding 14 points for the double double. She also chipped in five rebounds and five steals. Matthes also reached double figures with 14 points on a perfect 5-5 (4-4 from three) shooting. 

"Today was a good team effort." head coach Applebury said following the game. "Sam is a great leader. She really wants to end her career strong," Applebury said about her senior point guard. When asked about her career day, she said "We worked on their press and knew we could get layups." "We are playing with a sense of urgency. We are peaking at the right time." Partonen stated about the team after the win. "There is a different vibe in the locker room, we are focused on getting better."

The Eagles return to action this Saturday, February 1st against Marymount (Va.). The game with the Saints tips off at 1:00 p.m. from the Anderson Center on Hall of Fame Day.

GAME NOTES: Partonen recorded a career high 14 assists, while Comden had a career high in points with 27. Head coach Deena Applebury recorded her 250th career win.