STEVENSON, MD - Tournament MVP Jon Pierce (Manassas, VA/Osbourn Park) scored a team-high 19 points and added seven rebounds, and all-tournament team members A.J. Fitzgerald (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield) and Mike Lee (Lorton, VA/Hayfield) combined for 36 points and 14 assists as the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team defeated Villa Julie College, 77-69, in the championship of the Legg Mason Winter Classic on Sunday. Freshman forward Justin Baker (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) added 15 points for the Eagles, who improve to 9-4 on the season.
The Eagles came out strong in the first half, erasing an early five point deficit by hitting on 9-13 three point attempts in the opening frame. Pierce was 3-3 on treys, while Fitzgerald went 3-5 on his long-range attempts, and Baker was 2-3. In the second half the Eagles were able to keep the game at arm's length by hitting 46% from the floor and connecting on enough late free throws to seal the victory. The Eagles shot 54.1% from the floor for the game, marking the first time this season they've made the majority of their shots.
Mary Washington (9-4) will host Lancaster Bible College on Wednesday at 7 pm in the final non-conference game of the season before Capital Athletic Conference play kicks in on Saturday at Salisbury University.