The fifth-ranked University of Mary Washington men's basketball team opened the game with a 17-2 run in the first five minutes and never looked back in an 86-55 victory over Worcester State University on Friday night at Ron Rosner Arena in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The Eagles improve to 25-3 on the season.

Junior Jay Randall scored six points, and sophomore Kye Robinson added five, with three pointers from junior Jadon Burgess and sophomore Ulysses Young, in building the early lead. The Eagles shot 48.3% from the floor in the opening stanza, connecting on 4-9 three point baskets, while limiting the Lancers to 20%, in building a 44-18 halftime lead. Robinson scored 22 points in the opening 2-0 minutes, including a 9-10 performance from the free throw line, and Randall added eight and Young seven in the first half.

Worcester State settled in in the second half, shooting 50% from the field, as the teams traded scores as the Eagles heated up to 56.5% after the half. Junior Kaden Bates scored a pair of buckets to kickstart an 11-0 Eagle run to open the second half to up the margin to 55-18, as the Eagles remained comfortably ahead down the stretch.

Robinson scored 23 points in 22 minutes, going 6-10 from the floor and 10-12 from the charity stripe. Randall scored 14 points after going 5-8 from the floor and 4-4 from the line, and Burgess scored 10in 22 minutes. Bates led the Eagles with seven rebounds and six assists.

Mary Washington shot 27-52 form the field (51.9%), making 7-17 three point shots and 25-39 free throws. Worcester State shot 35.8% (19-53), going 5-20 from deep and 12-19 from the free throw line. UMW held a 43-27 rebounding advantage.

The Eagles will face Amherst College, who defeated WPI, 63-46, in the first game of the evening, on Saturday night in second round action. Tipoff at Ron Rosner Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.