The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped a 64-56 decision at Wesley College on Saturday afternoon in Dover, Delaware. Senior Taylor Johnson scored 19 points to lead the Eagles.

In a closely contested, back and forth matchup throughout, the Eagles used the first seven points of the game from Johnson to lead, 9-6, with 15:42 left in the first. After a Wesley dunk, sophomore Brent Mahoney hit a three pointer to advance UMW's lead to 12-8.

Wesley tied the score at 14, but The Eagles went on a 16-1 run, and led, 31-17, with 1:42 remaining in the half. Six different players scored in the run. Wesley's JW Porter scored the final two baskets of the half to cut UMW's halftime lead to 31-21.

The teams started the second half trading baskets, with the lead swinging back and forth between eight and 11 points. Wesley went on an 8-1 run to cut the deficit to 36-31 with 15:33 remaining.

Sophomore Matt Forrest hit a pair of three pointers sandwiched around seven straight Wolverine points, as the Eagle lead stood at 42-38 with 12:49 to play. After a Wesley basket, Eric Shaw made a pair of free throws and Johnson hit a three pointer to lift the Eagle lead to seven with 11:10 left.

After Wesley cut the deficit to five, the teams traded three pointers, with the Wolvines scoring nine straight points to take their first lead of the half at 53-52 with 5:05 remaining. UMW answered with a layup from sophomore Emerson Burk and a pair of Johnson free throws to lead, 56-53, with 3:32 remaining.

Wesley's AJ Tilghman hit a three pointer to tie the score, and then Wesley closed the game making eight free throws in the final minutes for the 64-56 victory.

Johnson made 7-9 shots on the day, including 2-2 three pointers, as the lone Eagle in double figures. Mahoney and Burk each had six rebounds.

UMW shot 19-47 from the field (40.4%), making 6-16 three pointers and 12-19 free throws. Wesley shot 23-52 from the field (44.2%), making 4-16 three pointers and 14-21 free throws. The Eagles held a 32-31 edge in rebounding. The Eagles committed 23 turnovers.

Mary Washington must now wait to see whether they will advance to the CAC Tournament next week, as Saturday's Frostburg/Marymount game has been postponed until Sunday. A Frostburg win would send the Bobcats to the CAC Tournament, but a Marymount win would put the Eagles into postseason play as the sixth seed in next week's tournament.