The 23rd ranked University of Mary Washington dropped a tight decision at Stevenson University on Monday evening, 62-60. The Eagles slip to 14-4 on the season.

In an extremely close contest that seemingly was played in its entirety with neither team leading by more than a few points, the teams battled to a 12-12 tie through the opening 10 minutes. Senior guard Bri Harper netted seven of her game-high 25 points in five minutes of action, keeping the score tight.

The Eagles scratched ahead in the second, led by six points from senior forward Tory Martin. Stevenson built a six point advantage, its largest of the game, with 3:39 left before scoring seven straight points to end the game to take a one point advantage to halftime. Harper hit a key three pointer and Tory Martin added a pair of baskets in the run.

The Mustangs opened the third quarter on a run that would take their lead to five, but a three pointer from sophomore Keagan Schwab pulled UMW to within one possession, and Harper hit another with 5:19 left in the third to put the Eagles back in front, 34-33. With both teams in the bonus early, all of the points down the stretch in the third came from the free throw line, with Stevenson holding a 41-40 edge.

After Stevenson started the fourth with two points, Harper hit yet another crucial three pointer to knot the score in the opening minute. The Mustangs again grabbed the lead, but once again the Eagles knotted the score, with a Try Martin score tying the game with 6:55 to go. A Karissa Highlander basket one minute later gave the Eagles a 49-48 edge, and a pair of Harper free throws with 5:08 put the Eagles up, 51-48.

Harper hit a three pointer with 2:59 left to give the Eagles a 56-53 lead, and maintained the lead with a pair of free throws with 2:44 to go. After the teams traded points, Stevenson pulled to within one, at 60-59, in the final minute. In the final seconds, an offensive rebound and putback put the Mustangs ahead, and they added a free throw for the final margin.

The Eagles were led by Harper and her 25 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-8 three pointers and 4-4 free throws. Tory Martin added 13 points for UMW, who shot 36.4% from the floor (20-55), making 7-18 three point attempts and 13-20 free throws. Stevenson shot 47.7% from the field (21-44), making 4-17 three point tries, and 16-25 free throws.

UMW will return to action on Saturday, when the Eagles visit Christopher Newport University at 2:00 p.m.