The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team used strong defense and solid shooting to defeat St. Mary's College, 65-42, on Wednesday night in Capital Athletic Conference action. UMW improves to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in conference play. 

The Eagles raced out to a 37-16 halftime advantage, shooting 52% from the field while holding St. Mary's to 16 points. Junior guard Katie Wimmer (Vienna, Va., James Madison) led the way with nine points in the opening stanza for the Eagles, while the Eagle defense caused 17 first half turnovers.

The second half saw UMW shoot 45%, while the Seahawks again struggled to 29.6%, but the Eagles held a two-point advantage in the frame to win the game by 23.

UMW was led Wimmer's 18 points on 8-11 shooting from the floor, and her nine rebounds. She was the only player in the game in double figures. Junior guard Rachel Martin (Annandale, Va., Bishop Ireton) and freshman forward Brieneke Matthes (Herndon, Va., Oakton) each had seven for UMW, while Sophie Pruden, Pui Sham, and Raven Owens each had eight for St. Mary's.

Mary Washington will visit Wesley College on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in another CAC contest.