The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team topped William Peace University, 73-43, on Friday evening in the home opener at Ron Rosner Arena. Freshman Erika Carter poured in 23 points on 10-15 shooting from the field and also hauled in 13 rebounds, notching her first career double-double. The Eagles improve to 1-1 on the season.
In the early going, the Pacers of William Peace got out to a 9-4 lead after a couple of layups and a three-pointer 5:28 into the game. Carter scored her first points of the game with 3:06 remaining in the first quarter and then Jordan Pamlanye knocked down two free throws to put the Eagles within one, 9-8. Emily Thompson drained a three-pointer assisted by Pamlanye and then knocked down another one with just 13 seconds left in the quarter to give UMW their first lead of the game, 14-11.
Thompson added to that lead as she made a layup seven seconds into the second quarter. From there, the Pacers went on an 11-3 run over the next five minutes to take a 22-19 lead. Carter put the Eagles back on top, 27-24, as she converted back-to-back-to-back layups. Sophomore Maddie Shifflett then drained a three-pointer and added a layup to put the Eagles ahead six, 32-26. UMW took a 34-28 lead into the half.
The Eagles came ready to play in the second half as they outscored the Pacers 39-15. Meghan Comer got the scoring started in the second half as she made a layup on an assist from Emily Shively. Shively knocked down a three just a couple possessions later to give UMW a 39-30 lead with 8:04 left in the third. Carter pushed the lead to 15 after she made a layup and then converted a foul shot. William Peace scored four straight and tried to cut into the lead but the Eagles then pushed the lead to 17, 55-38, on a layup by Shifflett. Pamlanye knocked down two free throws with 1:01 to play in the fourth quarter that capped the scoring in the third and the Eagles held a 57-40 lead.
UMW played excellent defense in the fourth quarter as they only allowed three points. Thompson knocked down another three-pointer to put the Eagles up 20, 62-42. Carter scored her 23rd point of the game with 3:48 remaining in the game as she made a contested layup that put UMW up 71-42. Jordan Lee capped the scoring for the Eagles as she hit a left-handed layup and UMW went on to win the game 73-43.
Thompson netted 19 points, shooting 4-5 from three point range. Shifflett chipped in 12 points and Pamlanye added nine points to go along with seven rebounds. Shively dished out six assists and added on steal on the day. William Peace was led by Khadijah Daniels who scored 10 points.
UMW shot 42.9% from the field and 53.3% from the three-point line. The Eagles dished out 17 assists and outrebounded the opposition, 42-32.
The Eagles will be back in action on Saturday as they will play in the Hyatt Place Tipoff Tournament Championship against Johns Hopkins University at 2 p.m.