Freshman Molly Sharman scored a career-high 17 points and added a crucial steal and basket at the end of regulation to force overtime as the University of Mary Washington women's basketball team defeated ninth-ranked and previously unbeaten Marymount University, 65-62, on Saturday afternoon in Arlington, Va. The Eagles improve to 7-1, while the Saints slip to 8-1.

In a contest that stayed tight throughout, the Eagles outscored the Saints, 18-15, in the first quarter. The back and forth matchup saw the Eagles grab a 10-4 lead, only for the hosts to answer with eight straight points to grab a 12-10 lead with 4:14 left in the first. Layups from junior Tory Martin and freshman Ashley Martin returned the lead to UMW, but Marymount answered with a three pointer before a pair of Eagle baskets from Ashley Martin and Sharman closed the frame with the Eagles carrying an 18-15 cushion.

A three point play and a second basket from Tory Martin opened the second, as the Eagles extended the lead to eight, at 23-15. Marymount pulled to within two points, at 27-25 with 1:32 before intermission, but senior Emily Thompson followed with a three pointer for UMW. The Saints capped the half scoring to draw to within 30-27.

The third quarter saw the defenses tighten even more than in the second, as the Eagles led, 10-9, in the period. Leading 40-36 to open the fourth, an early three from junior Maddie Shifflett held the Saints at bay, before the hosts rallied to tie the score at 47-47 with 3:37 left. 

The Saints then took off, first grabbing the lead, and then extending it to as many as four with 22 seconds left. After Ashley Martin scored with 17 seconds left to cut the deficit to two, Sharman stole the ball with 11 seconds left, and scored the tying basket at the final horn to send the game to overtime.

Neither team would score in the opening 1:46 of the extra frame, with Ashley Martin opening the scoring with a pair of free throws. Sophomore Faith St. Clair connected on three straight free throws to kickstart a 7-0 run with 2:12 left, but Marymount netted a three pointer to draw to within 62-58 with 55 seconds left. Shifflett made a pair of free throws and Ashley Martin added another to hold the lead, and the Saints' last-second three-point attempt was off the mark to give the Eagles a key nonconference win.

Sharman made 8-15 field goals en route to 17 points, and also grabbed six rebounds to go with three assists. Ashley Martin scored 13 points on 5-9 shooting, and Tory Martin added 11 points with a pair of blocks before fouling out. 

The Eagles shot 39.7% from the floor (23-58), making 5-17 three point attempts and 14-18 free throws. Marymount shot 34.4% (22-64), making 6-16 three point tries and 12-19 free throws. Marymount led in rebounds, 45-34.

Mary Washington will return to action next Saturday when the Eagles host Washington & Lee University at 1:00 p.m.