The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team used a balanced effort to defat Kean University, 66-58, on Sunday night at the Susan Dunagan Holiday Tournament at Roanoke College in Salem, Va. The Eagles improve to 8-3 on the season.

The Eagles started strongly in the first quarter offensively, netting 21 points in the first quarter in building a four-point lead. An early pair of baskets from Maddie Shifflett handed UMW the early advantage, and after the Cougars knotted the score, a three pointer from Ashley Martin upped UMW's advantage to 17-12 with 3:23 left. After a 5-0 run by Kean, freshmen Bri Harper and Martin added jumpers to give UMW a 21-17 lead after ten minutes.

Seven points from freshman Molly Sharman in the opening five minutes of the second kept UMW in the lead, but a late rally by Kean saw the lead change in the final minute, before a pair of free throws from senior Emily Thompson returned the lead to UMW, 32-31, at halftime.

The third period proved pivotal, as the Eagles outscored the Cougars, 18-12. Four points from Sharman extended the lead to six, and a three pointer from Thompson with 1:11 left upped the UMW advantage to eight points. In the fourth, UMW struggled from the field, but made 9-9 free throws to keep the lead intact in the eight-point victory.

Sharman led the Eagles with 18 points while Thompson scored 13, Shifflett 12, and Tory Martin 10. Thompson grabbed nine rebounds, while Sharman led with four assists. 

The Eagles shot 20-52 from the floor, making 4-13 three point tries, and connected on 22-25 free throws. Kean shot 18-52, making 4-20 three point attempts, and 18-31 free throws. Kean led in rebounds, 38-35.

Mary Washington will face host Roanoke on Monday night at 7 p.m. in the tournament championship.