The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team topped Randolph Macon College, 55-50, on Thursday evening in Ashland, VA. The Eagles improve to 6-1 on the season. Freshman Ashley Martin led the way in scoring with 16 points, on 6-8 shooting from the field.
The Eagles got out to a fast start as they went up 5-0 in the first 2:26 of the first, as Maddie Shifflett and Tory Martin accounted for the points. A. Martin scored her first points of the game with 2:22 left in the quarter as she nailed a three-pointer to put UMW up 11-7. A. Martin made the last basket of the quarter as she knocked down another three-pointer to give the Eagles a 14-7 advantage.
The second quarter got out to a slow start as neither team could put home a basket in the first three minutes, until Emily Thompson made a three-pointer on an assist from T. Martin. Jordan Lee put the Eagles up nine, 19-10, as she scooped home a layup from Thompson. The Yellow Jackets closed the half on a run and cut the Eagles' lead to 23-19 at the break.
Out of the half, Shifflett made the first basket as she made a layup just 12 seconds in. From there, RMC went on a 9-2 run to go up 28-27 with 5:02 remaining in the third. UMW answered with an 8-0 run of their own that put them ahead 36-28 with 2:53 left. The Yellow Jackets made two free throws before the quarter expired to put the score at 41-32 heading into the fourth.
UMW went cold in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter and the Yellow Jackets took advantage as they drew within two points, 41-39. A. Martin and Shifflett put an end to that run with back-to-back buckets with 4:29 left. RMC fought back and got within one point, 48-47, with 2:03 to play int he game. T. Martin knocked down a three-pointer and then Molly Sharman made two free throws to put UMW up 53-47 with 12 seconds remaining in the game. A. Martin closed the game out with two free throws to seal the win for the Eagles 55-50.
Shifflett had 13 points, and T. Martin added 11 on the night. Thompson pulled down a team-high eight points.
The Eagles will be back in action on Saturday as they will travel to Marymount for a game at 1 p.m.