The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team topped St. Mary's College, 61-33, in their Capital Athletic Conference opener on Saturday afternoon in Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles improve to 12-3 overall. Freshman Karissa Highlander led the team with 12 points.
The Eagles played an outstanding first quarter as they gave up just three points to the Seahawks. UMW scored the first 14 points of the game and gave up St. Mary's only three points with 43 seconds to play in the quarter. Ashley Martin, Tory Martin, Maddie Shifflett, Bri Harper, Molly Sharman, and Faith St. Clair all chipped in buckets in the quarter.
UMW began the second quarter with nine straight points to up their lead to 20, 23-3, with 7:42 to play. After the Seahawks added four straight points, the Eagles added to their lead and scored six straight. In that run Emily Thompson, Highlander, and Carolina Brusch added buckets. UMW closed the quarter out and went into half with a 32-12 advantage.
The two teams traded buckets early in the third quarter but a Sharman layup gave the Eagles a 38-17 lead with 5:52 to play. Highlander went on a run by herself as she scored six straight points to extend the Eagles' lead to 44-19. Harper scooped home a layup to close the third and put UMW up 46-19 going into the fourth quarter.
UMW maintained their lead in the fourth quarter and went up 30, 55-25, on a three-pointer from Madi Wisensale. The Eagles closed out the game and won 61-33.
The Eagles shot 23-58 (39.7%) from the field, 2-17 (11.8%) from three-point range, and 13-19 (68.4%) from the free throw line. UMW held the opponent to just 26.7% shooting from the field. The Eagles out-rebounded the Seahawks 46-25. 12 of the 14 players for the Eagles scored on the day.
UMW will be back in action on Wednesday night as they will host Salisbury at 6 p.m.