Seventh-ranked Mary Washington won a nail-biter at home and York posted a 20-point neutral-site victory, both CAC teams advancing to the second round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.

The undefeated CAC-champion Eagles improved to 28-0 with a 39-32 triumph at home over Keuka.  UMW advances to Saturday's second round against Messiah.

The second-place York Spartans (23-5) ran away from St. Vincent, 86-66, in a first-round game at Juniata.  YCP will take on the host Eagles in a second-round clash Saturday.

At Fredericksburg, Va., UMW senior guard Katie Wimmer scored 16 first half points as seventh-ranked Eagles built a 27-6 halftime lead, and the Eagles held on in the second half for a 39-32 victory over resilient Keuka College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. The Eagles will advance to host Messiah College, a 73-50 winner over Kean University, in the second round on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

The Eagles' nations-best defense was on display from the opening tip, as UMW held Keuka to one point in the first 12:24 of the first half, and just six points in the half. The Storm shot 2-27 from the field, while the Eagles, led by Wimmer, shot 34%. Wimmer was 7-11 from the floor in the half, with two three pointers and six rebounds.

In the second half, UMW struggled mightily from the field, as Keuka started the half on a 10-0 run, and got the deficit down to four at 29-25 with 8:41 to play on a free throw from Jessica Bandrowski. The Eagles returned the lead to seven thanks to baskets from Wimmer and Aby Diop, but consecutive Storm baskets cut the deficit to three at 35-32 with 1:20 to go. Wimmer then put then game away with a jumper and a pair of free throws, giving UMW its 28th consecutive win, a new school record.

Wimmer was the lone Eagle in double figures, with no other player netting more than four points. Keuka was led by Mariah Mouzon's 11 points and 12 rebounds.

UMW shot 26% from the field (15-57), with 3-18 on three pointers and 6-9 from the free throw line. Keuka went 13-46 from the field with 1-16 on three pointers, and was 5-14 from the charity stripe. Keuka led in rebounds 42-41, but committed 18 turnovers.

At Huntingdon, Pa., Kristen Haley poured in a career-high 25 points and Aja Wallpher dished out 11 assists as York advanced to the second round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Tournament courtesy of an 86-66 triumph over St. Vincent.  

Haley also pulled down seven caroms for York in the opening-round triumph.  Wallpher captured her second double-double of the 2012 campaign as she tallied 13 points in addition to her 11 dimes.

After a tight back-and-forth first half, which the Spartans led 43-38 at the break, the Green and White steadily opened up their lead during the second 20 minutes. After shooting 55.6% in the first frame, the Spartans followed that effort with a 51.9% showing in the second while holding St. Vincent to just 26.5% from the floor over the latter 20.

York started the second half on an 8-2 run through the first 4:23 led by three points from Brittany Hicks, a triple from Brittany Percich, and a Wallpher layup. That effort allotted the Green and White a 51-40 advantage, as the Spartans would not allow their lead to dip below double-digits for the remainder of the game.

The margin reached 15 just 3:03 later by way of a Haley traditional three-point play, leading 57-42. York held their lead between 12 and 18 for the next 10:33 as they never allowed St. Vincent to go on an extended run.

With 2:01 remaining, it was Haley who fittingly pushed lead to a 20 at 82-62 on her final bucket of the contest. York's margin would max out at 24 courtesy of layups from April Sparkman and Taylor Santor, before the game finished with an 86-66 Spartan win.

Sparkman finished with 18 points while Hicks totaled 17 points and seven rebounds. Murphy knocked down eight for the Green and White while Percich, with her effort and consistent play, provided an excellent presence off the bench.