The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 67-48 victory at Lynchburg College on Monday evening in the Eagles' season opener.

After the teams traded points in the opening four minutes, with the score tied at 4-4, the Eagles used an 8-0 run, led by four points from freshman Elizabeth Dofflemyer, to assume a 12-4 advantage with 3:43 left in the first quarter. A 7-2 run from Lynchburg was halted by a Brianne Comden layup to close the quarter, with the Eagles holding a 16-11 advantage.

The second quarter was all Eagles, as UMW outscored the Hornets, 23-12. The Eagles lead swelled to 26-13, as layups from four different players contributed to the 10-2 run. The Eagles closed the second on a 6-1 run keyed by a Megan Green three pointer, giving the Eagles a comfortable 39-23 lead at intermission.

In the third, sophomore Taylor Barton scored three baskets, and Dofflemyer added a traditional three-point play as well as a long-range three to give UMW a 52-33 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.

Mary Washington started the fourth quarter on a 6-2 run, and the Eagle defense held the Hornets to no field goals in the final 5:18 for the 67-48 victory.

"I'm proud of the overall effort and performance in tonight's game", said UMW head coach Deena Applebury. "This team believes in the process of getting better each day and tonight it really showed."

The Eagles shot 44.2% from the field (23-52), making 4-9 three point attempts, and connected on 17-22 free throws. Lynchburg was limited to 22.4% shooting (13-58), including 3-18 on three pointers, and 19-26 on free throws.

The Hornets led in rebounds, 41-37, and both teams committed 20 turnovers. The Eagles were led by Comden's 16 points on 6-11 shooting from the field and 4-5 effort from the line, while Dofflemyer added 15 points on 4-8 shooting from the field and 6-9 shooting from the line. Both corralled seven rebounds to lead the Eagles, while Barton and Sarah Listenbee each added eight points.

The Eagles will return to action on Friday when they host Randolph College in the UMW Hyatt Place Tipoff Tournament at the Anderson Center. Tipoff time for the home opener is set for 7:00 p.m.