First year guard Kye Robinson scored 21 points to lead five Eagles in double figures, as the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team defeated Ramapo College, 86-81, on Saturday evening in the second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament. The Eagles improve to 15-14 on the season, and advance to the NCAA sectional semifinals for the second time in program history.

The Eagles jumped ahead with the first five points of the game, with a jumper from sophomore Jay Randall and a three-pointer from first year guard Ulysses Young. Four minutes in, the Eagles went on a 10-0 run, keyed by a pair of baskets from Robinson, and led, 17-6. Ramapo answered with a run of its own to draw to within 20-17, but a pair of three pointers from senior Zack Blue keyed an 8-0 run to return the margin to 11, a 28-17, with 6:36 left.

A pair of late baskets from Randall kept the Eagle lead at eight at intermission, 37-29.

Baskets from Randall and Robinson opened the second half, as the lead swung back and forth between five and 11 points over the following minutes. Midway through the half, the teams traded baskets for several minutes, with the margin swinging between five and seven points. The Roadrunners drew to within three, at 63-60, with 5:35 remaining, but again the Eagles showed great poise, with a pair of baskets from sophomore Jadon Burgess and a pair of free throws from Robinson.

Ramapo hung close, drawing to within two points on two occasions over the next few minutes, but a layup from Randall and a three pointer from Blue with 1:35 remaining upped the margin to seven, before free throws from Kaden Bates and Burgess put the lead back to double figures in the final minute. Despite several desperation threes from Ramapo, the Eagles held on for the 86-81 victory.

"It's awesome...", said UMW head coach Marcus Kahn. "To get into the tournament, and have the opportunity to keep playing with these guys... to survive and advance in this environment here is a testament to the schedule we played this year, and to have freshmen on the floor in key moments in this game, it's just awesome."

Robinson led the Eagles with 21 points on 7-11 shooting from the floor and 5-6 from the free throw line. Randall scored 18 points on 6-10 shooting from the field and 5-8 from the line, and Blue scored 15 points with four three pointers. Burgess added 13 points and Young added 11.

The Eagles continued to shoot well, going 29-53 from the floor (54.7%), making 10-27 three point attempts and 18-24 free throws. Ramapo shot 30-59 (50.8%), making 8-21 three pointers and 13-15 free throws. The Eagles held a 30-28 rebounding edge.

The Eagles will take on Emory University on Friday in the sectional semifinal round on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, at a time to be determined.