Arlington, Va. – Marymount University's fourth-seeded women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2012 Capital Athletic Conference Championships with a 72-47 victory over visiting fifth-seed St. Mary's (Md.) on Tuesday night. The Saints earned their 13th-straight semifinals appearance and 20th overall, both league records.
Reigning CAC Player of the Week Katelyn Fischer led the Saints (14-12) with her seventh double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 23 points to go with a contest-best 11 assists. She added six rebounds and a pair of steals while shooting a stellar 7-of-9 from the floor and 8-for-9 at the free throw line.
Seniors Jackie Bohenek and Sam Spencer chipped in 17 and 14 points, respectively. Spencer went 5-for-7 from the floor, including 4-for-5 from downtown, while Bohenek shot 70 percent from the field.
Five Saints grabbed at least six boards en route to outrebounding St. Mary's 47-27 on the night. Tynisha Parks led Marymount with seven rebounds while Bohenek, Fischer, Dominique Dickens and Julie Tomesheski each hauled in six.
Marymount dominated from the opening tip, jumping out to an early 9-0 lead and holding the Seahawks (10-16) scoreless for the first 3:30 of play. The Saints quickly pushed their lead to double-figures before finally taking a 20-point lead on a Fischer layup with less than a minute remaining in the first half.
The second half was more of the same as MU never gave up their 20-point advantage. A Bohenek layup at the seven minute mark put the Saints up 30 at 63-33 and Marymount led by as many as 36 late.
Bridget Wilkins and Marche Pearson both led the Seahawks with seven points off the bench. Aura Payne led all players with four steals.
Marymount returns to action on Thursday to face top-seeded and seventh-ranked archrival Mary Washington in the semifinals. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Fredericksburg, Va.