EMMITSBURG -- Mount St. Mary's not only matched the fourth-best scoring defense in the nation, but also destroyed it.
Showcasing a strong perimeter offense, Mount St. Mary's ambushed UMBC, 97-53, last night at Knott Arena. The Mountaineers (18-5), who racked up their highest point total in 1 1/2 years, have won 12 straight games, including 16 of their past 17.
"This is the first time we played two good halves together," Mount St. Mary's senior guard Shari DeLaney said. "They came in with the reputation of a strong defense, but I guess we found the holes. Everything we put up seemed to go in."
DeLaney scored 23 points, making five of six three-pointers. Four other Mountaineers reached double figures.
The Mountaineers made 10 three-pointers and shot 50 percent from the field -- the first team to accomplish that against the Retrievers this season. The feat is more amazing because Mount St. Mary's two top point guards were out sick. Walk-on freshman and soccer MVP Carrie Jenkins started at point guard.
"I am disappointed that our team didn't show up tonight," said UMBC coach Kathy Solano, whose Retrievers had limited opponents to 55.4 points per game and 35 percent shooting. "They didn't do anything we hadn't seen in 20 other games this season. We just didn't look to attack."
Kris Bryant's jumper with five minutes left pushed the Mountaineers to their biggest lead, 92-44. The Retrievers (11-11), who have lost four straight, were never within 20 after 6:18 of the first half.
"I feel sorry for UMBC because they caught us on a hot night," Mount St. Mary's coach Bill Sheahan said. "We hadn't shot well the past few games, so we were very due."
At halftime, Mount St. Mary's led 54-34. Those were the most points UMBC had allowed in a half this season, and surpassed the total points given up in eight games.
The Mountaineers made as many field goals (20) as the Retrievers attempted.
Mount St. Mary's connected on three three-pointers in the first 3 1/2 minutes as it opened a 10-1 lead. As the offense clicked from the outside, the Mountaineers defense bogged down UMBC's inside attack.
Switching from a tight man-to-man to a 2-3 zone, the Mountaineers constantly swarmed around UMBC center Eunice French. Heather Wable, who recorded a career-high nine steals, led a half-court trap that caused 25 turnovers.
No. 10 Vanderbilt 105 Towson State 46
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Angela Gorsica scored 21 to lead Vanderbilt (22-6) in its rout of Towson State (12-11), which had 24 turnovers.
The Commodores never trailed and had a 54-14 halftime lead.
Trinett Tucker scored half of the Tigers' points, with a game-high 23.