Sophomore guard
Kye Robinson scored a game-high 30 points and added 10 rebounds to lead the #15 University of Mary Washington men's basketball team to an 82-78 victory over Guilford College on Friday night in both teams' season opener at Ron Rosner Arena.
Guilford's high pressure defense gave them an early lead, at 22-10 with 11:21 left in the first. A 12-4 Eagle run over the nest three minutes pulled them to within four at 26-22. Sophomore
Ulysses Young capped the stretch with five straight points on a three pointer and a pair of free throws.
A jumper from Robinson drew UMW to within two, and a pair of free throws from junior
Jay Randall gave the Eagles their first lead since 2-0 at 30-29 with 6:04 left. After the Quakers regained the lead at 34-32, and again at 37-35, UMW ended the half on a key 7-0 run, led by three points each from Randall and Young.
A 7-2 spurt from Guilford opened the second, but Robinson answered with a three pointer to stem the tide. The Eagle lead swelled to nine on baskets from Young and
Josh Sewordor, but the Quakers hung around, pulling to within 56-52 with 10:28 remaining.
Another Guilford run trimmed the margin to 70-68 with 4:43 left, and the score stood tied at 75-75 with 1:10 on the clock. Robinson connected on a pair of free throws, and three free throws by Young over the next two possessions put UMW on top, 80-76, with 20 seconds left. Guilford pulled to within two with 11 seconds left, but Robinson put the game out of reach with six seconds left with a pair of free throws.
Robinson shot 8-22 from the floor, and went 13-17 from the free throw line. Young added 15 points on 4-10 shooting, and added four assists, while
Kaden Bates scored 13 while going 6-8.Â
UMW shot 41.7% from the field (25-60), making 5-21 three point tries and 27-40 free throws. Guilford shot 40.9% (27-66), making 7-25 three pointers and 17-28 free throws. The Eagles held a 44-42 edge in rebounds.
The Eagles will be back in action on Saturday night, when they host Eastern Mennonite University at 6 p.m.
