The 16th ranked University of Mary Washington women's basketball team blew open a tie score at halftime, limiting St. Mary's College to 12 second half points, in a 57-39 victory on Wednesday night in Capital Athletic Conference road action. With the win, UMW improves to 7-0, and head coach Deena Applebury claims her 307th career victory, surpassing Connie Gallahan as the winningest coach in program history.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, with neither team breaking double figures, and the score stood tied at 9-9 after 10 minutes. Four different players contributed a basket for UMW in the quarter.

In the second, both offenses awoke, but neither side could pull away, and the score stood tied, 27-27, at intermission. The teams traded blows in the second, with UMW leading by as many as four on a Brianne Comden layup at 21-17 with 5:42 left.

The Seahawks briefly took the lead on a three pointer with 2:30 to go, and UMW tied the score with 32 seconds left on a pair of Jordan Pamlanye free throws to tie the score heading to halftime.

UMW seized control in the third quarter, outscoring the Seahawks, 15-4. Comden and sophomore Elizabeth Dofflemyer alternated baskets for the first 11 UMW points of the frame, all while the Eagles limited SMC to 1-12 shooting with three turnovers.

In the fourth, Comden scored UMW's first three baskets, as the Eagles pulled away for the 18-point win.

Comden led all scorers with 20 points on 9-18 shooting, while Dofflemyer added 10 points while shooting 4-6. Megan Green had eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Comden posted six rebounds as well.

UMW shot 46.2% from the field (24-52), making 3-12 three pointers and 6-8 free throws. St. Mary's shot 32.5% (13-40), making 4-12 three pointers and 9-12 free throws. The Eagles led in rebounds, 35-23.

Applebury, with her 307th career win, all at UMW, eclipses the 306 victories gained by Connie Gallahan, who guided the Eagles from 1977-2001.

Mary Washington will return to action on Saturday when they host Marymount University in a rematch of last year's CAC Championship at Rosner Arena at 3:00 p.m.