FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Swarthmore College men's basketball team was overcome by No. 7 University of Mary Washington, 70-49, in its final non-conference tilt on Tuesday evening.
 
The Eagles used a 21-5 run to separate from the Garnet in the first half. Swarthmore came out hot in the second period, scoring 14 of the first 16 points in the frame to close the gap to one. However, Mary Washington recovered to net 12 straight points and regain a double-digit lead it would hold for the remainder of the contest. The nationally-ranked Eagles held the Garnet to season lows in field goal percentage (.306) and three-pointers (5).
 
Devin Burger shot 7-of-12 and finished with a team-high 17 points for Swarthmore. The senior also led the squad with eight rebounds and a pair of steals. Eddie Paquette continued his streak of double-digit performances, putting up 13 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The teams traded buckets in the early going and a Burger layup brought the Garnet within one (7-6) at the 14:55 mark. The home team then took control, scoring 21 of the next 26 to lead 28-11 with 5:38 to go in the half. Burger had the final points of the frame with a layup and Swarthmore trailed 36-23 at halftime.
 
- The Garnet opened the second half with a 14-2 surge to cut the deficit to one (38-37) with 16:16 on the clock. Burger and Paquette each drilled a three and totaled five points to lead the rally. However, Mary Washington bounced back with 12 unanswered to take a 50-37 advantage with 9:06 remaining.
 
- Paquette sank another three at the 8:14 mark to get Swarthmore within 10 (52-42). The Eagles then pulled away with an 11-2 stretch to put the game out of reach for the Garnet with 2:48 left.
 
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Burger 17
Rebounds: Burger 8
Assists: Cal Hanson, Nyle Coleman 3
Blocks: Zander Jimenez 1
Steals: Burger 2
Threes: Paquette 2
 
UP NEXT
Swarthmore (6-6) begins conference play on Saturday with a home matchup versus Dickinson College.