Sophomore guard Taylor Johnson scored a team-high 19 points and freshman forward Lamonte Fields added 15 in leading the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team to an 85-61 victory over Emory & Henry College in the Washington & Lee Holiday Tournament in Lexington, Va., on Wednesday. The Eagles improve to 5-6 on the year, and have won two of three.

After a cold shooting first half in which leading scorer Sean Armstrong got into early foul trouble, UMW erupted for 50 second half points. The Eagles, who trailed by as many as nine in the first half, shot just 3-17 on three pointers in the first half, and 14-39 (35%) overall. But the Eagles held a 24-18 rebounding advantage and caused nine first half turnovers in claiming a 35-32 halftime lead.

In the second, both the offense and defense perked up, as UMW shot 58% from the floor (18-31), including 6-10 three pointers, and forced 13 second half turnovers. The Eagles committed just 10 turnovers in the entire game.

The Eagles opened the second half with a 15-2 run, making six of seven shots to start the frame, and led, 50-34, with 16:44 remaining. A pair of three pointers from junior Bradley Riester and another from Johnson keyed the run.

The Eagle lead reached 20 with a Fields free throw with 10:08 left, and UMW advanced the lead to as many as 26 before gaining the 24-point win. Twelve different players scored for UMW, with Johnson making 7-10 field goals, including 3-6 three pointers and adding six rebounds, while Fields made 6-12 shots and grabbed seven caroms. Riester and senior guard Antonio Ortega each had nine points, and John Yoxthimer went 4-4 from the floor en route to eight markers.

Mary Washington will face Washington & Lee, a 59-53 winner over Kenyon on Wednesday, in Thursday's championship at 4 p.m.