The University of Mary Washington ran up a double digit first half lead, and maintained that cushion in a 67-60 victory over Salisbury University in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference semifinals on Friday night in Newport News, Va. The Eagles advance to the C2C Championship game on Saturday night.

Both teams opened cold from the floor, but the Eagles opened the scoring with a three pointer from senior Riley Welch with 17:25 remaining. Salisbury answered with a 10-0 run, but the Eagles used a run of their own to take a 12-10 lead, on a Zack Blue three pointer. A triple from Welch and a basket from Anias Saunders gave UMW a 17-12 advantage with 10:19 left. 

UMW upped the lead to nine on a Saunders basket, and a Da'Shawn Cook three with 3:36 left gave UMW a ten-point cushion, which they would hold to halftime.

In the second half, UMW maintained a lead throughout, although Salisbury trimmed the margin to four, at 42-38, with 13:59 left. The Eagles responded with a 9-0 run to up their margin to 51-38, and a Da'Shawn Cook three lifted the Eagles advantage to 54-40 with 10:15 to go. 

The Sea Gulls scratched away to pull to within three, at 63-60, with 1:03 remaining, but Welch hit four free throws in the final minute for the Eagles' cause.

Saunders led the Eagles with 17 points on 7-14 shooting, while Cook scored 15 and Welch added 12. Zack Blue led UMW with eight rebounds.

The Eagles hot 47.1% from the field (24-51), making 8-23 three point shots, and 11-18 free throws. Salisbury shot 32.2% (19-59), making 6-21 three point baskets and 16-20 free throws. 

UMW will face Christopher Newport on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for the C2C Championship, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Championship.