The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped a 58-55 decision to seventh-ranked Randolph-Macon College on Thursday evening at Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles slip to 2-3 on the season.

Defense was the key from the opening tip, as the two teams each scored just 23 points in the first 20 minutes, with each scoring nine field goals.

In the second half, the score remained tight throughout, as neither team led by more than five, and the lead switched hands 10 times, with seven ties. A three-point play from sophomore Jadon Burgess with 6:06 gave the Eagles a five point advantage at 48-43, but a pair of free throws and a three pointer from Randolph-Macon knotted the score with 5:01 left.

A pair of Burgess free throws with 3:55 left gave UMW a lead, but the Yellow Jackets connected on another three to grab the lead at 51-50 with 3:43 to go. A lay in from freshman Kye Robinson with 3:04 left returned the lead to UMW, but RMC responded with a layup to retake the lead.

The teams traded free throws before a Jay Randall free throw knotted the score at 55-55 with 1:07 to go. The Jackets responded with a basket, and made a free throw with 14 seconds left to up the lead to 58-55. The Eagles misfired on a pair of three-point tries to tie the score before the final horn.

Burgess and Randall led the Eagles with 19 points each. Burgess made 4-7 shots from the field, including 2-5 three point attempts, and went 9-12 from the free throw line, and Randall made 9-14 field goals and 1-2 free throws. Randall, Robinson, and Trey Pittman each ahd five rebounds for UMW, who were outrebounded, 45-30.

UMW shot 20-57 from the floor (35.1%), making 3-16 three-point tries, and 12-22 free throws. RMC shot 18-49 (36.7%), making 6-23 three point attempts, and 16-21 free throws.

The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, when they visit North Carolina Wesleyan University at 3:00 p.m.