Freshman guard Elizabeth Dofflemyer scored a game-high 18 points, and sophomore Kendall Parker added 16 off the bench to lead the third seeded #22 University of Mary Washington women's basketball team to a 73-55 victory at top-seeded Marymount University in the 2016 Capital Athletic Conference Championship on Saturday afternoon. UMW head coach Deena Applebury gained her 300th career win with the result, as the Eagles gain the league crown for the sixth time and return to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in her tenure.
"We came out fired up and ready to play our game", said Applebury afterwards. "My seniors said from day one they wanted the CAC championship and I am so proud of the entire team for coming together and making this happen. To win my 300th game in the CAC championship is truly amazing. I can not thank the current team and alumni for all of their hard work and support. Special thank you to President Hurley and Ken Tyler."
The game stayed tight through the first quarter, with three lead changes and four ties. UMW scored first, and the teams traded three pointers in the opening moments. Marymount scored five straight to take an 8-5 advantage, but Dofflemyer answered with an open three to knot the score at eight.
The teams traded a pair of baskets apiece before Parker hit a three pointer, and Brianne Comden made a layup, as the Eagles carried a 17-16 advantage to the second quarter.
The second frame play was just like the first, with neither team able to pull away. After a pair of Sarah Listenbee free throws put UMW up three, Marymount answered with a three pointer to tie the score. The Eagles scored seven straight, capped by a Dofflemyer three, to take a 26-19 lead. After the Saints cut the deficit to four, Parker hit another three, but Marymount closed the quarter on a 7-2 run to give the Eagles a 34-32 lead at halftime.
Dofflemyer opened the third with a three pointer that Marymount matched, before UMW reeled off nine straight, capped by a Dofflemyer basket and free throw with 5:25 remaining, giving the Eagles a 46-35 lead, the first double-figure lead of the day.
Marymount answered with eight straight points to cut the deficit to 46-43 with 3:15 left. Marymount scored the final three points of the frame to trim the deficit to 49-46 heading to the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, the Eagles took control by starting with a 14-2 run. Jordan Pamlanye hit a pair of baskets in the run, and Parker hit another pair of threes, and the Eagles led by 13, 63-50, with 2:42 remaining.
After a Saints three pointer, Megan Green and Dofflemyer each completed three point plays, as the Eagles closed the game on a 10-2 run for a 73-55 victory.
"Winning the CAC championship is such a surreal feeling!", added Dofflemyer. "Marymount is a very talented team we just came out determined to win and would accept nothing less. I am so grateful to be a part of not only an amazing program but a team that has become my family."
Dofflemyer scored 18 points on 6-7 shooting from the floor, including 4-4 on three pointers and 2-2 on free throws. Parker was 6-14 from the field, including 4-8 on three pointers. Comden also reached double figures with 10 points. Marymount was led by Miranda Krott's 17 points.
The Eagles shot a blistering 49% from the field (25-51), making 9-17 three pointers and 14-17 free throws. Marymount shot 39.6% (19-48), connecting on 5-19 three pointers and 12-17 free throws. The Eagles controlled the boards, 39-21.
The Eagles advance to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time under Applebury and the 10th time overall in capturing their sixth CAC Championship (all under Applebury). The UMW head coach improves her career mark to 300-73, all achieved in Fredericksburg. The announcement for the bracket will be made on Monday at 2:30 p.m.