Freshman Erika Carter scored 22 points to lead three players in double figures as the University of Mary Washington women's basketball team defeated St. Mary's College, 65-60, on Wednesday night in Capital Athletic Conference action in St. Mary's City. The Eagles improve to 9-7 on the season, while the Seahawks fall to 4-12.
Both offenses stalled early, as the score stood tied at 8-8 through 10 minutes. Carter scored four of her 22 in the opening frame to lead the way for the Eagles. In the second, the lead changed hands five times, with the Seahawks leading by as many as three before a late pair of Emily Thompson free throws cut the halftime margin to 20-19.
The Eagles pulled ahead in the third, outscoring the hosts, 23-15. The lead changed hands five times with two ties in the opening five minutes of the frame, but seven straight points from sophomore Kayla Sakyi propelled UMW to a 36-29 lead with 3:52 left in the quarter. St. Mary's drew to within three, at 38-35, but Carter closed the quarter with the final four points on a basket and a pair of free throws to give UMW a 42-35 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Eagle lead swelled to 14 at 50-36 with 6:39 remaining, but the Seahawks chipped away down the stretch, but could come no closer than the final margin of five, at 65-60, on a last second three pointer.
UMW shot a blistering 59.2% from the field (22-38), making 1-6 three point attempts and 20-30 free throws. St. Mary's shot 37.5% from the field (18-48), making 6-21 three pointers and 18-22 free throws. The Eagles controlled the boards, 33-18.
Carter led the Eagles, shooting 7-7 from the floor and 8-12 from the free throw line, and also tied for the team lead with six rebounds. Thompson and Sakyi each scored 11 for UMW.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday when they host York College at 1:00 p.m. in another CAC contest.