ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – A late rally by the Marymount (Va.) University men's basketball team came up just short against St. Mary's College of Maryland on Wednesday night, falling 63-56 in Capital Athletic Conference play. 

With 5:21 remaining in regulation, the Saints found themselves trailing the Seahawks by 10, 50-40, but the deficit would slowly chip away through the next four minutes. Using a 15-7 run, MU fought back to cut the St. Mary's lead to just two, 57-55, following two big baskets by junior Jesse Longmire and sophomore Dimitri Rucker. 

Just inside a minute remaining in regulation, Rucker pulled down an offensive rebound to find Longmire at the top of the arc to knock down the long ball. Following two missed free throws by the Seahawks on the other end, senior Danny Ferry pushed the transition down the court to dish the ball off to Rucker for a quick layup to get the Saints within two with 46 seconds remaining. 

Two points would be as close as MU would get though, as the Seahawks went 6-for-8 from the charity stripe in the last 40 seconds to take the 63-56 decision. 

The first half was a battle back and forth throughout, seeing one tie and three lead changes through the 20-minute span. Sophomore D'Ondre Stockman and Longmire pushed the tempo early for the Saints, each getting inside for layups to take the early 4-0 lead. 

The Seahawks remained close though, eventually taking a five-point advantage halfway through the first, 17-12, but an eight-point run by MU regained the lead by the seven-minute mark behind a tip-in by Stockman, two layups by senior Rick Narcisse and a finish by senior Colin Burkhart. St. Mary's closed out the half on a seven-point stretch of its own to take a 28-25 lead into the break. 

Narcisse pieced together a career night on the court, setting a new career high in points and rebounds with 16 and 17, respectively, while marking his second double-double in collegiate play. Both were game highs. Rucker also notched a double-double, his second of his career, registering 12 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Saints will open the New Year on January 2 at home, as they take on Wesley College in CAC play. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m., in the Verizon Sports Arena.