BOXSCORE
ROCHESTER, NY - The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team overcame a six-point deficit in the final 35 seconds of regulation to force overtime, but couldn't come away with victory in a 61-54 loss at the University of Rochester on Saturday night in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Eagles close the season with a 22-6 overall record.
One night after one of their best shooting performances of the season, the Eagles struggled from the floor for much of the game on Saturday, shooting just 29.2% from the field (19-65). The Eagles trailed for much of the first half, holding only a one-point lead at 8-7 with 9:39 left, and was behind, 24-18, at halftime.
In the second half the Eagles battled back to force the game into a back-and-forth battle, regaining the lead at 37-36 on a
Katie Wimmer (Vienna, Va., James Madison) three pointer with 8:10 remaining. Rochester ran its lead back to six in the final minute, but a pair of clutch three pointers from sophomore guard
Jenna McRae (Springfield, Va., Annandale) tied the score for UMW, who even forced a Rochester turnover with five seconds remaining, but were unable to connect on a last-second chance.
In the extra period, UMW scored just four points, as Rochester made two early baskets and made five free throws down the stretch for the win.
Mary Washington was led by McRae's 16 points and seven rebounds and Wimmer's 15 points and eight boards. Senior forward
Kate Carlezon (Scituate, Mass., Scituate) ended her career in style with 11 points, four steals, and two blocks. Rochester was led by Melissa Alwardt's 18 points.
UMW closes the season with a record of 22-6, extending their streak of 20-win seasons to six straight years, the same length as their NCAA Tournament streak.