FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Sophomore Maria Lawhorne (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum) scored a career-best 25 points to help Washington & Jefferson women's basketball secure a 75-61 victory over Sage at the Cruzin' Classic on Thursday, Dec. 20. 

By securing their fifth consecutive victory today, the Presidents improve to 7-5 overall, while the Gators drop to 5-3. 

Lawhorne was efficient in her career night, as she shot 10-for-14 (71.4 percent) from the floor and went 2-for-2 from behind the arc. She also came two rebounds shy of recording her first career double-double with eight boards. Lawhorne's 25 points are the most by a W&J player this year. 

Danielle Parker (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) also excelled in the post with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Parker has notched a double-double in three of her last four games. 

Guards Lauren Gilbert (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), Kylie McKennen (Triadelphia, W. Va./Wheeling Park) and Hannah Johnston (East Freedom, Pa./Central) did a little bit of everything for the Presidents. Gilbert rounded out W&J's double-digit scorers with 10 points to along with five rebounds and two assists. McKennen tallied six points, a game-high seven assists and five boards, while Johnston finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists. 

W&J took control of today's game in the post, owning a 54-39 lead in rebounds, which tied the team's best rebounding effort of the year. This dominance in the paint also led to a 46-22 advantage in points in the paint. 

The Presidents' stellar defense was in full display, as they held Sage to 22-for-69 (31.9 percent) shooting, the lowest field goal percentage by a W&J opponent this year. The Red & Black have excelled defensively during their current five-game win streak, as only one of their opponents in that stretch have shot over 40.0 percent.  

The Presidents will return to action after the New Year with a 5:30 p.m. road matchup against Thiel on Thursday, Jan. 3.