The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team dropped a 66-55 decision to UC Santa Cruz on Saturday afternoon in Newport News, Va. The Eagles slip to 17-4 on the season, and 1-2 in Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference action.

The Eagles dug themselves a hole in the first quarter, falling behind, 10-0, before starting to climb back. A 7-0 run (fueled by four free throws from Jordan Carpenter and a three point play from Keagan Schwab) to end the first quarter and start the second drew the Eagles to within 16-13, with 8:55 left before halftime. An 11-2 run from the Banana Slugs gave them a 27-15 lead with 5:33 on the clock, but again the Eagles responded, closing the half with an 11-2 run of their own, drawing to within 29-26 at halftime.

In the third, the teams battled back and forth, alternating scores in the opening five minutes, before the Eagles surged ahead for the first time in the contest, on a basket from Carpenter with 2:50 remaining in the third. UCSC responded with a three pointer, and held a two-point lead, 42-40, with 10 minutes remaining.

In the fourth, Santa Cruz started by scoring the first seven points, but the Eagles answered with the next six, as the two teams continued to trade scores. UMW trailed, 54-50, with four minutes left, but saw the Slugs go on a 12-4 run to finish the game.

Carpenter led the Eagles with 15 points and seven rebounds before fouling out, and Schwab added 10. Elizabeth Dufrane had nine points and seven rebounds as well.

UMW shot 35.8% from the field (19-53), making 3-16 three-point attempts and 14-19 free throws. Santa Cruz shot 39.2% (20-51), making 8-20 three point attempts and 18-23 free throws. Each team had 34 rebounds.

The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday, when they take on Regent University at 2:00 p.m. in Newport News.