The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team broke open a tight contest in the fourth quarter to defeat Catholic University, 76-58, on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C. The Eagles improve to 9-1 on the season.

The Eagles rolled out to a 24-10 lead in the first quarter, relying on red-hot shooting and strong defense. The Cardinals battled back in the second and third to draw to within four, before the Eagles outscored the hosts, 26-12, in the fourth to pull away.

Junior guard Keagan Schwab (7-12 shooting) and sophomore guard Megan Baxter (5-6) each scored 17 points on the day, with junior Jordan Carpenter adding 13 points (on 4-6 shooting) and junior guard Elizabeth Dufrane 11 (4-7).

UMW shot a red-hot 52.1% from the floor (25-48), making 10-17 three point attempts and 16-26 free throws. Catholic shot 17-50 from the field, making just 3-18 three point tries and 21-34 on field goals. Catholic controlled the rebunding battle, 38-28, and the Eagles won the turnover battle, 27-22.

UMW will be back in action on Wednesday at North Carolina Wesleayn College at 5:00 p.m.