OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Washington and Lee women's basketball team recovered from a 10-point first-half deficit to post a 72-64 win at Stevenson University on Saturday afternoon.

Despite shooting just 3-of-14 (.214) from the field in the opening quarter and falling behind 8-1 to start the game, the Generals hung around and trailed just 13-11 following the first stanza.

However, the Mustangs began the second period with a 13-5 run across the initial 4:24 to take a 26-16 lead following a pair of free throws by junior guard Hannah Crist.  The score remained at 10 points (28-18) with 4:24 left before the break, but the Generals held Stevenson to just two points the rest of the way to climb within four points (30-26) at the intermission.

The Blue & White took its first lead since late in the first quarter (32-30) with 7:31 left in the third period following four straight points on a pair of layups by first-year forward Jordan Diehl (Springboro, Ohio / Springboro).

Stevenson wrestled the lead back shortly thereafter on a three-point play by sophomore guard Brandi Hall, and held the advantage until a blistering fourth quarter carried the Generals back in front.  W&L shot 10-of-16 from the floor and drilled all six free throw attempts in scoring 28 points during the final period.

The Mustangs held a 45-44 lead entering the fourth, but the Blue & White hit each of its first six shots from the floor, carrying out to a 58-53 lead following a jumper by sophomore guard Erin Hughes (Raleigh, N.C. / Ravenscroft School) with 6:54 remaining.  The lead was still just three points (58-55) with 5:42 left in the contest, but the Generals limited the Mustangs to just three points over the next 5:04 to take a 14-point lead (72-58) with 38 seconds remaining.  Hughes did much of the damage, scoring eight points in the final 2:59 of the game as W&L pulled way for the victory. 

The win was the 100th in the career of Head Coach Christine Clancy, who is now 100-85 (.541) across seven seasons.

W&L finished 24-of-52 (.462) from the field and the Generals claimed a 45-32 edge on the boards.  However, the Blue & White was hampered by 27 turnovers in the contest.

Junior guard Taylor Casey (Brentwood, Tenn. / Franklin Road Academy) paced W&L with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting.  Hughes finished with 13 points, 12 of which were scored in the decisive fourth period.  Diehl and first-year guard Erin Addison (Waxhaw, N.C. / Weddington) added eight points each, while junior forward Andy Smithey (Charlotte, N.C. / Saint Mary's School) totaled six points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Stevenson shot just 31.7 percent (20-63) from the floor and hit just 2-of-12 (.167) three-pointers.  Senior guard Jonyae Curry tallied a game-high 20 points, nine rebounds and six steals, while Hall chipped in 13 points.

Washington and Lee returns to action next Saturday as it participates in the Franklin & Marshall Tip-Off Classic.  The Generals open with Haverford on Saturday at 1:00 pm.

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