The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team dropped a 64-59 decision to UC Santa Cruz on Sunday afternoon at the Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles slip to 17-7 on the season.

The Eagles jumped out to a 7-4 lead, with points from four players, and led 7-6 before an 8-0 Banana Slugs run that put them in front, 14-9, with 2:37 left in the first. Junior Ashley Martin hit a pair of baskets to close the first, trailing 16-13.

In the second, a three point play from senior Bri Harper cut the deficit to 19-18, and baskets from Ashley Martin and Tory Martin gave UMW a 22-19 lead with 7:19 remaining. Sydney Sherman's jumper with 3:38 left gave the Eagles a 26-21 advantage, and the teams traded free throws before UCSC drew to within 28-26. Tory Martin's three pointer with six seconds left gave UMW a 31-26 lead at halftime.

In the third, Tory Martin scored the Eagles' first five points, and sophomore Jordan Carpenter added another basket, as the Eagles extended the lead to 38-29. Four free throws and a three pointer from Santa Cruz cut the margin to 38-36 with 2:55 remaining. Baskets from Tory Martin and Carpenter to end the frame gave the Eagles a 43-40 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Santa Cruz grabbed the lead at 46-45 with 6:28 left, and the lead changed hands six times in the next two minutes. A three pointer from UCSC with 2:59 left gave the Slugs a 56-51 leadbut the Eagles drew to within two, at 61-59, with 25 seconds left. UCSC hit three free throws down the stretch.

Tory Martin led the Eagles with 19 points on 8-10 shooting, gaining all-classic honors. Ashley Martin scored 15 points on 6-9 shooting, and Keagan Schwab scored 10. Carpenter had eight points and eight rebounds.

UMW shot 48.9% from the field (23-47), making 3-9 three point attempts and 10-15 free throws. Santa Cruz shot 37.7% (23-61), making 3-16 three point tries and 15-20 free throws.

The Eagles will return to action on Wednesday when they visit Salisbury University in another C2C matchup at 6:00 p.m.