The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team overcame a shaky start, using a 26-3 run midway through the first half, to defeat Eastern Mennonite University, 80-57, on Saturday at Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles improve to 9-2 overall and 6-0 at home, and run their win streak to eight straight.

The early action swung the lead back and forth in the early going, but a 7-0 EMU run handed them a 17-9 lead with 9:58 remaining in the first. From there, the Eagles got hot, and turned an eight point lead into a 15 point lead over the next eight minutes. Senior guard Riley Welch started the run with a traditional three-point play, and followed with a shot from behind the arc. A Da'Shawn Cook layup tied the score with 8:59 to go, and Cook followed with a three pointer to put UMW ahead, 20-17, with 7:24 left.

Sophomore Daniel Peterson and senior Anias Saunders followed with layups to push the run to 16 straight points, and, after an EMU three pointer, continued to provide quality offense. Saunders hit back-to-back three pointers and Welch and Cook followed with baskets to give UMW a 35-20 lead with 2:23 remaining. EMU came as close as 13, but a Cook layup with five seconds left sent the Eagles to intermission with a 42-26 lead.

Five straight points from Welch started the second half, and the Eagles were on their way, outscoring the Royals, 38-31, in the second. Welch netted 13 in the second half, and senior Ra'Shawn Cook added eight.

Welch led the Eagles with 24 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-11 three point attempts. Da'Shawn Cook scored 18 points and Saunders scored 12 to go with 10 rebounds and six assists, tying for the lead lead in helpers with Ra'Shawn Cook.

UMW shot 43.9% (29-66), making 12-34 three point attempts, and 10-13 free throws. EMU shot 36.8% (21-57), making 9-27 three point tries, and 6-9 free throws. UMW led in rebounds, 46-30.

The Eagles will be back in action on Tuesday at Averett University at 5:00 p.m.