Mary Washington women’s basketball falls short in first home game

THOMAS JACKSON & COLE RASMUSSEN

Associate Editor & Staff Writer

The University of Mary Washington’s women’s basketball team lost to Randolph College 46–49 last Tuesday on account of a late comeback from the Wildcats. With this being the Eagle’s first home game, emotions were high with the excitement of wanting to give a good performance in front of the home crowd.

“We were really excited since it was our first home game,” said freshman business administration major Julianna Fisher. “I think we just really were hyped up to play on our home court. We had a really good feeling going into it.” 

This sentiment was shared by her teammates, who are getting more and more confident as the season goes on.

“I feel a lot more confident going into a game now vs. the beginning of the season,” said freshman business administration major Ainsley Phillips. “I know what I can do and my role on the team and I know what I have to do to execute.”

UMW took an early lead, ending the first quarter with 15 points to the Wildcats six. The Eagles continued working on extending their lead before the end of the first half. The offensive front was led by sophomore biomedical sciences major Juliona Mabie and junior biology major Maddy Jenisch, who had 14 and 11 points, respectively. 

Thanks to a late stint of free throws and one three-pointer in the second quarter, UMW went into the half only leading by five points. 

Mary Washington kept the game close through the third and fourth quarter, but a detrimental turnover allowed the Wildcats to obtain the ball and draw a costly foul with 10 seconds remaining in the game. Only being down by one point at that time, Randolph made both free throws before drawing another foul with two seconds left in the game to expand their lead, resulting in the final score of 49–46.

Despite the close loss, Fisher relies on tight bonds after games to keep spirits high and the team focused.

“I think that we have just a really tight bond in our team so we just make sure that everyone’s spirits stay high and that we just make sure that we are staying focused, like, outside of practice as well,” she said. 

Fisher believes the team had good moments, with the Eagles going 15 for 49 from the field, shooting the same 31% as the game before.

“I think we had a lot of good moments,” she said. “I think we had some good shots and we had really good defense this game. So I think that’s the best thing that we learned from them.”

Following this loss, the Eagles went on the road Wednesday at Southern Virginia University losing 42–54 to bring their season record to 2-7.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, players like Phillips are looking at how they continue to grow and help their team next semester. 

“Next semester I see myself just continuing to fill my role on the team and helping my teammates get to where they need to be,” she said. 

The Eagles next game will be Dec. 6, against Dickinson College at home in the Roy Rosner Arena. 

“A positive I’ve taken from this semester is appreciating the opportunity I’ve been given and working hard because I know not everyone gets to play their sport in college,” said Phillips.