Lynchburg, Va. – Despite a strong performance in the paint and a pair of double-figure showings, the Saints could not solve Lynchburg on Tuesday afternoon, falling 69-62 in their first loss of the season.

Marymount continues its program-best start, though the loss column no longer remains unpopulated.  The Saints fall to 7-1 with the effort.

The Saints nabbed an early lead, assuming a 7-2 advantage three minutes in on an Alex Danko layup and a five-point spurt by Antonio Rouse. 

The Hornets erased the deficit quickly as Daniel Rowe connected on back-to-back triples to grab the lead for Lynchburg with 15:07 showing.

Eight of the next ten points came courtesy of Lynchburg's Zach Burnett, putting the host up 16-9 – the largest lead the Hornets would see in the opening half. 

The Saints countered swiftly, pounding the ball into the paint and closing the deficit bit by bit.  After being fouled on a successful dunk, senior JC Hoellich put Marymount back on top having converted the ensuing free throw at the 7:49 mark. 

Burnett continued his dominance from the field for Lynchburg, closing the first half with another four points to tow a 34-29 lead into the break. 

The second half saw both teams stumble a bit before finding any rhythm, with Lynchburg striking first with a triple two minutes in.

A balanced attack from the Saints cut the lead to a paper-thin 38-36 with 15 minutes remaining, but the host poured in the next eight to pull ahead by double digits once more.  Marymount would get no closer than five the rest of the way.

Both teams squandered ample opportunities at the free throw line, combining for a dismal 27-46 on the day.

Jesse Konadu and Dmitri Rucker led Marymount with 11 points each while Hoellich finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.

The Saints return to action on Friday when they take on Maryville (Tenn.) in the Daytona Beach Shootout.  Tip time is slated for 8 p.m. at Ocean Center.