Strong Second Half Pushes UMW Women’s Basketball Past SMC, 72-46, on Saturday

Strong Second Half Pushes UMW Women’s Basketball Past SMC, 72-46, on Saturday

The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team had a strong second half that helped push them past St. Mary's College, 72-46, on Saturday afternoon. UMW outscored the Seahawks 43-15 in the second half. Junior Maddie Shifflett led the team with 24 points on 11-17 shooting from the field, while also pulling down seven reboundsA . The Eagles improve to 16-7 overall, and 5-3 in the CAC.

UMW got out to an early 8-0 advantage as Tory Martin, Ashley Martin, and Shifflett all chipped in buckets. Emily Thompson nailed a jump shot with 4:59 to play to put the Eagles ahead 12-5. SMC went on a 6-0 run to get within one, but a jumper by Emily Shively put UMW back up three. The Seahawks added a three-point play near the end of the quarter and found the game tied 14-14 at the end of the first.

The Seahawks took a 16-14 lead just one minute into the second but a layup from Shifflett and then two layups from T. Martin put the Eagles back up 20-16. SMC went on a 7-0 run to go back up 23-20. With the Eagles trailing 29-27, Karissa Highlander scooped home a layup to tie the game up with 1:37 left in the quarter. SMC scored a bucket with just 14 seconds left to take a 31-29 lead at the half.

UMW came out energized in the second half and ready to put the game away as they went on an 8-1 run to open the third quarter. T Martin knocked down two free throws with 6:04 to play that gave the Eagles a 41-35 lead. A jumper from Faith St. Clair on an assist from Jordan Lee extended UMW's lead to double digits, 47-37. SMC cut the into UMW's lead, but a late 9-0 run from the Eagles put them up 56-41. Thompson, Shifflett, and Bri Harper all drained three-pointers late in the third quarter.

The Eagles didn't stop there and the late run extended as they scored the first 10 points of the second quarter to make it a 19-0 run. St. Clair capped the run for UMW with a jumper on an assist from Harper with 5:44 to play. The defense held strong on the fourth as they only allowed six points. Shively closed out the game for the Eagles as she scooped home a layup.

T Martin added 16 points on 5-10 shooting from the floor. A. Martin was the next leading scorer with six points. 

UMW shot 29-61 (47.5%) from the field, 4-14 (28.6%) from three-point range, and 10-19 (52.6%) from the free throw line.

The Eagles will be back in action as they will host York for a key CAC matchup beginning at 1 p.m. This night is also Senior Day/Play for Kay Day.