The 23rd ranked University of Mary Washington women's basketball team battled to a 65-57 victory over Shenandoah University on Saturday afternoon at Rosner Arena. The Eagles advance to 11-2 on the season.
The Eagles opened the first quarter 5-0 lead in the first few minutes of the game, with a basket by junior forward Jordan Carpenter and a 3-pointer by Ashley Martin . The Hornets tied the score at 5-5 and kept close through a tightly contested 1st quarter. Shenandoah took a small lead over the Eagles going to into the 2nd at 11-10, but were outscored 20-15 to end the 1st half.
Elizabeth Dufrane controlled the Eagles' attack in the 2nd quarter, with three makes from beyond the arc and one basket from about 15 feet away. Sydney Sherman and Ashley Martin put up back to back free-throws for the Eagles that left 1:27 left on the clock. As the Hornets continued to put up points and stay in the game, Dufrane and Crapenter put up 5 quick points in 7 seconds to end the first half – a 3 by Dufrane and a quick layup from Carpenter at the buzzer.
With the score 30-26 Eagles at the start of the 3rd, tensions were high and everyone in the stands on both sides knew that this game would be hard-fought through to the end. Shots by Sherman, Dufrane, Riner, and Carpeter, kept the Eagles competitive and showed the Hornets that they were not to be tested on their home court. Jordan Carpenters' and-one shot with 51 seconds left brought energy to the Eagles bench putting Mary Washington up 46-38 at the end of the 3rd.
Three buckets from Sydney Sherman within the first 4 minutes of the 4th along with contributions and plenty of rebounds by Jordan Carpenter led the Eagles to a heated last 3 minutes of the game. After a Hornet player fouled out at 3:19, Shenandoah made a final push. Fouls in the final minute helped Ashley Martin and Elizabeth Dufrane to the line to solidify the last 4 points and the win for the Eagles.
Carpenter led the Eagles with a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Elizabeth Dufrane scored 19 points and added 3 crucial steals. Sydney Sherman and Ashley Martin both had solid games, with 12 and 9 points, respectively.
The Eagles shot 41.1% from the field (23-56), making 6-16 three point attempts and 13-19 free throws. Shenandoah shot 48.9% (23-47), making 6-19 three point tries and 5-8 free throws. UMW led in rebounds and turnovers, 37-24 and 21-20, respectively.
UMW will be back in action on the first Monday of 2023 when they host Swarthmore College at 5:00 p.m.