DELAND, Fla. — William & Mary women's basketball (7-4, 0-0 CAA) defeated Bethune-Cookman (2-10, 0-0 SWAC) 64-52 at Edmunds Center at Stetson University on Saturday to conclude the non-conference slate.
 
The Tribe secured the win with a strong second half, outscoring the Wildcats 20-9 in the third quarter. The victory marks W&M's sixth straight, the program's longest winning streak since the 2016-17 season.
 
W&M's bench contributed significantly with 31 points, while they held a 32-18 advantage in points in the paint. The Wildcats managed to tie the game six times, but the Green and Gold's defensive effort, including 9 steals, proved decisive.
 
William & Mary initiated the game with a balanced attack, matching Bethune-Cookman's early pace. Kyah Smith contributed with a jumper at 7:14, closing an early gap. Alexa Mikeska and Cassidy Geddes also found success in the paint, each scoring key baskets to keep the game within reach. Dynasti Pierce capped the quarter with a put-back at the 36-second mark to tie the game, but Bethune-Cookman responded with a fast break layup, closing the first quarter with a 14-12 lead over W&M.
 
The Tribe seized momentum in the second quarter with a key 3-pointer by Smith at 6:41, which broke a tie and put them ahead 17-14. Sophia LeGoullon extended the advantage with a 3-pointer at 2:16, pushing the score to 21-19. Despite Bethune-Cookman's efforts to close the gap, W&M ended the half ahead 22-21.
 
William & Mary asserted control in the third quarter, launching a decisive 9–0 run midway through. Monet Dance facilitated the offense with key assists, including a fast-break layup by Mikeska at 6:04, which shifted momentum firmly in their favor. Dance's performance was particularly notable as she achieved her first career double-double (14 points, 10 assists) and became the first Tribe player to have 10-plus assists in a game since January of 2020.
 
The Tribe capitalized on turnovers, turning them into transition points and extending their lead with a layup from Natalie Fox to force a Wildcats timeout later in the frame. The quarter concluded with W&M ahead 42–30, outscoring the Wildcats 20–9.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Green and Gold maintained their lead, fueled by a balanced offensive effort. Jana Sallman scored a key layup at 9:30, assisted by Mikeska, which set the tone early. Sallman posted her second double-double in as many games, contributing significantly to the Tribe's dominance. Dance contributed with clutch free throws at 7:55, pushing the score further in W&M's favor.
 
Fox added to the scoring with a layup at 7:16, and as the quarter progressed, the Tribe effectively countered Bethune-Cookman's advances, with Dance again adding to the lead with critical free throws at 1:11 as W&M secured the victory with a final score of 64-52.
 
10 of Dance's 14 points came from the line, off 11 attempts. Sallman added 13 points and collected 14 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards. Mikeska contributed with seven points and two steals, while Geddes blocked two shots. Dance and Sallman became the first Tribe duo to have double-doubles in the same game in nearly two years.
 
The Tribe will take a hiatus for the holidays before kicking off CAA play at N.C. A&T on Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.