The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team over came a first quarter deficit, and used a balanced attack including 33 points off the bench in a 72-43 victory at Averett University on Tuesday afternoon in Danville, Va. The Eagles improve to 9-1 on the season.

Sophomore Keagan Schwab started strong for UMW, scoring the first five points and drawing the Eagles even at 5-5 with 7:47 remaining in the first. UMW advanced its lead to 9-5 on baskets from senior Tory Martin and sophomore Jordan Carpenter, but the Cougars ended the first on a 10-2 run in taking a 15-11 lead to the second quarter.

UMW stormed ahead in the second with a 16-0 run to start the period, as freshman Adeline Riner led the way with seven points. After an Averett free throw, Carpenter scored four straight, pushing the Eagle lead to 15 points, before a late Cougar basket cut the UMW lead to 33-20 at halftime. The Eagles held Averett to five points in the second.

In the third, the Eagles put the game away with 19 points. A three pointer from junior Molly Sharman kickstarted a run that pushed the Eagle lead to 41-22 with 5:17 left in the frame. A triple from freshman Megan Baxter with 4:17 left upped the UMW lead to 20, at 44-24.

The fourth quarter saw the Eagles use its great depth and defense to extend the lead, seeing 14 points off the bench in the qurter, including four each from Sydney Sherman and four from Baxter. 

UMW was led by Carpenter's 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Tory Martin added 10 points. Schwab scored nine points, while Elizabeth Dufrane scored eight, and Sharman, Baxter, and Riner each scored seven.

The Eagles shot 41.5% (27-65), making 4-12 three point attempts and 14-25 free throws. Averett shot 24.2% (15-62), making 3-18 three point tries, and 10-15 free throws. The Eagles controlled the boards, 54-38.

UMW will return to action on December 29, when they visit the Montclair State University Holiday Tournament against Misericordia at 7 p.m.