ARLINGTON, Va.—The Marymount (Va.) University men's basketball team competed in the Third Annual Pablo Coto Tip-Off Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon against Eastern Mennonite University, falling to the Royals, 70-59. 

Junior Michael Anderson got the Saints started with the opening basket of the game giving them the early advantage. The teams battled back and forth with MU staying ahead for most of the first half.

Marymount's biggest lead came at 17-7, following a three-pointer by junior Jesse Longmire off the dish by senior Rick Narcisse. Prior to Longmire's three, Narcisse had a layup followed by a steal, got fouled and went to the line to hit one of two. The Saints were unable to hold onto the lead as the Royals battled back with an eight-point run to take their first lead of the game at 24-22. Marymount would quickly answer to tie the game at 24-24 off of a layup from senior Danny Ferry, but the Saints would go into the break trailing by three.

The Saints stayed within striking distance in the beginning minutes of the second half until Eastern Mennonite went on another run, this time for nine, off three long balls by Royals' Jerome Jones, Maleke Jones and Khalil Davis. The run would put the Royals up 47-36 with 11:15 left in regulation.

Both teams continued trading points until the Saints began to make a run of their own with just under 11 minutes to go in the game. Freshman Trey Johnson stepped up to lead Marymount coming off the bench with a quick basket and an assist. Johnson's basket would be a part of the Saints 13-0 run to cut the deficit from 20 to six. During the run, Johnson racked up eight points, while Ferry added three. Six points would be the closest Marymount would come to the Royals, as EMU held off for the victory and take the tournament championship.

Johnson had a career- and team-high 13 points and added three rebounds and one assist for the Saints. Sophomore Dmitri Rucker led the team on the defensive end with seven rebounds and four blocks on the day. Longmire concluded the tournament with 31 points, eight on Sunday afternoon, to earn a spot on the all-tournament team. 

Eastern Mennonite's Isaiah Harris-Winn had a game-high in points with 20, while teammate Xavier McCants earned a spot on the all-tournament team. The Most Valuable Player award went to EMU's Jerome Jones after a 14-point day, including three long balls. 

The Saints will continue play on Sunday, November 29 at home against Juniata College. Start time is slated for 3 p.m.