The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team lost a close game to Misericordia University, 59-56, on Wednesday afternoon as part of the Cruzin Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. UMW falls to 4-7 on the season. Freshman Madison Shifflett led the Eagles with 12 points.
In the first quarter, the Eagles got out to a 5-2 lead on a three-pointer from Kendall Parker and a jumper by Taylor Barton just 1:07 into the game. The Eagles extended their lead to 10-4 on a layup by freshman Kayla Sakyi with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter. Jordan Pamlanye got into the scoring column on a layup with 5:07 left to push the lead to 15-7. Meghan Comer added a layup and the Eagles were up 17-9 with 4:17 left in the first quarter. Over the last 4:17 of the quarter, the Cougars went on a 10-3 run and the Eagles were up 20-19 going into the second quarter.
The Cougars gained the lead 21-20 just 1:22 into the second quarter. UMW regained the lead and Tory Martin netted a jumper to put them up 6, 29-23, with 4:06 left to play. UMW gained their largest lead of the half, 36-25, with 1:40 to play on a layup by Pamlanye. Misericordia made a layup before the end of the second quarter and the Eagles went up 36-27 into halftime.
Misercordia hit a jumper 1:31 into the third quarter to cut the lead to 36-29. The scoring stalled for the next 2:40 until freshman Madison Shifflett hit a three-pointer to up UMW's lead to 39-29. The Cougars went on a 5-0 run to get the game at 39-34, but McKenzie Jenkins buried a three-pointer with 2:53 left. UMW closed out the third quarter and had the advantage 44-36.
Pamlanye got the scoring started with a free throw in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles a 45-36 lead. Jenkins netted another three-pointer to put UMW up 50-42 with 6:31 remaining in the game. The Cougars cut the lead to 52-50 on a three-pointer with 4:36 left. Barton nailed a jumper with 1:37 to give the Eagles a 56-54 lead. Misericordia tied it up, 56-56, with 1:26 left and then hit three free throws to close out the game and take then win 59-56.
Jenkins added 11 points and Parker contributed nine points. Barton finished the game with eight points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Misericordia was led by Rachel Carmody who scored 10 points.
The Eagles shot 38.6% (22-57) from the field, making 8-23 three-pointers, and 4-6 free throws. The Cougars shot 35.6% (21-59) from the field, making 5-15 three-pointers, and 12-13 free throws. The Eagles dished out 18 assists for the game.
UMW will be back in action on Wednesday, January 3, as they host Wesley College in a CAC matchup at 6 p.m. in Ron Rosner Arena.