COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Behind a fourth quarter surge, the Ursinus College women's basketball team earned a 65-59 victory over Washington College on Saturday afternoon from Helfferich Hall.
 

With the victory, Ursinus improves to 9-5 overall and open Centennial play with a 3-1 record, while the Shorewomen fall to 6-6 on the season and 1-3 in conference action. Senior forward Chinwe Irondi finished with a team-high 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Junior Madison Smith added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while sophomore Colleen Blackman tallied 13 points and two steals.

 
Ursinus jumped out to a 6-4 lead through the first four minutes of play as Irondi and Smith combined for the first three baskets for the Bears. After a layup from the Shorewomen, Smith assisted junior Ava Possenti on a three-pointer to extend the Bears lead to 9-6 with 4:28 remaining in the opening quarter. Washington College cut the Bears lead to one, before Smith connected on a three-pointer of her own to increase the Bears lead to 12-8 at the 3:57-mark. The Shorewomen closed out the quarter on a 7-3 run, while a free throw from Irondi tied the contest at 15 apiece heading into the second quarter. Both teams traded baskets to open the second stanza, but a steal and a fast break layup gave the Shorewomen a 24-21 lead with 4:30 remaining in the first half. Sophomore Erin Glanz responded for Ursinus with a jump shot, but Washington College closed out the first half on a 5-0 run to earn a 29-23 halftime lead.

 
The Bears opened the second half with a layup from Irondi and a Blackman three-pointer to trim their deficit to 29-28 at the 8:37-mark. Both teams traded baskets as the lead traded sides, until Smith connected on a jump shot and three-pointer to give Ursinus a 41-37 advantage. Washington College used a 6-0 run over the final minute of the quarter and earned a 43-41 lead heading into the final stanza. The Bears responded during the opening possession of the fourth quarter as Glanz connected on a three-pointer to give Ursinus a 44-43 edge. Each team traded baskets until Smith knocked down a pair of free throws and Blackman recorded a three-pointer to stretch the Bears lead to 53-47 with 6:14 remaining in the contest. With Ursinus leading 54-50, Possenti extended the Bears advantage to nine as she tallied a layup and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions. Washington College brought the deficit to as low as five, but the Bears connected on timely free throws to earn a 65-59 conference victory.
 
 
The Bears shot 43.4% (23-of-53) from the field, 35% (7-of-20) from three-point range, and 60% (12-of-20) at the free-throw line. Washington College was held to 42.9% (24-of-56) from the floor, 66.7% (4-of-6) from beyond the arc, and 50% (7-of-14) at the charity stripe. The Bears defense forced a total of 24 turnovers and were credited with 15 points off turnovers. Washington's Karry Keliher finished with a game-high 31 points and five steals.
 

The Bears will return to action on Wednesday, January 15th as they hit the road for a Centennial Conference matchup against Haverford College at 4 p.m.