ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Penn College women's basketball fell to St. Mary's, 56-54, in a hotly-contested United East clash Friday night. The Wildcats drop to 1-3 in conference play, 4-11 overall while the Seahawks move to 2-0, 9-5.

How it happened: After Rachel Teats gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the night, 45-39, with 7:31 to go, the Seahawks went on a 10-4 run over the next four minutes to to the game at 49-49. Teats pushed the 'Cats back in front with a three before the Seahawks answered right back with a three of their own before a pair of Samantha Blaylock layups under 30 second left sealed the game.  

The Wildcats and Seahawks endured eight ties and 12 combined lead changes before St. Mary's pulled away with the go-ahead shot with 35 seconds remaining in the game. Penn College held a lead or was tied for 90% of the night after the Wildcats steadily rose to an 11-8 lead in the first quarter. Mia Patterson led the way in the opening quarter with five points while Allie Troup, Lexi Troup and Teats all scored in the first 10 minutes.

Bell Hitesman kept the offensive momentum going in the second with three of layups including her last one to answer a St. Mary's three and re-tie the score at 20-20. The Wildcats regained the lead with 56 seconds left of the first half with an Emily Pardee layup and Lexi Troup finished the half with a pair of free throws for a 24-22 lead heading into the break.

Penn College remained in the lead for six minutes through the third quarter before the Seahawks tied the game for the sixth time, 31-31. Pardee and Patterson regained a 35-34 advantage over the next two possessions. Patterson closed out the quarter with the hot hand and the final two layups for the 39-36 lead heading into the fourth.

Inside the Box: Teats lead the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points to go along with four assists, two steals and a block. Patterson and Lexi Troup joined Teats in double-digit scoring with 13 and 10, respectively While Pardee was a presence in the paint, hauling in a career-best 17 rebounds (12 defensive).

Amira Whitaker led St. Mary's with 18 points.

Up next: Penn College completes its nonconference schedule on Monday when the Wildcats travel to Wells College at 6 p.m.