ARLINGTON, Va. – A fourth-quarter run by the third-seed University of Mary Washington was enough to hold off the top-seed Marymount (Va.) University women's basketball team in the two squads' 10th tilt in the Capital Athletic Conference Championship, as the Eagles grabbed the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with a 73-55 decision on Saturday afternoon in the Verizon Sports Arena. 

A tight opening 10 minutes saw five lead changes with the Saints finding themselves at just a one-point deficit after the first quarter. Although the Eagles hit the initial basket, freshman Tyffani McQueen connected with sophomore Leah Hurst on a shot from behind the arc to get a packed gymnasium loud early on. 

The Saints worked to keep the advantage, as the presence inside by senior Miranda Krott was heard again, seeing the center capitalize on a strong finish in the paint to draw the foul and finish off the three-point play at the free-throw line for an 8-5 lead. 

The Eagles went on a 7-2 stretch through the later part of the quarter before sophomore Nicole Viscuso cut the deficit to one in the closing seconds with a finish inside before the buzzer. 

Two free throws opened up the second quarter in favor of UMW, but senior Aileen Maknati reignited the fans catching a dish from Viscuso for the long ball to draw the score even at 19-19. Mary Washington, however, answered with a 10-2 run to push a lead that wouldn't falter for the remainder of the game. 

Marymount remained within striking distance and had the contest within one several times through the next two quarters, but a 24-9 fourth quarter by the Eagles was enough to hold off the Saints for the win. 

Krott finished the game with 17 points to guide the Saints' offense, while Maknati dropped in 15. Viscuso and Hurst paced the defense with four steals apiece, while Hurst sent out four assists. 

The women will now await the NCAA Selection Show set to take place on Monday, February 29 at 2:30 p.m., to see if their season will be extended. Be sure to check out www.marymountsaints.com for more postseason information as it becomes available.