ARLINGTON, Va.— The Marymount (Va.) University women's basketball team hosted Capital Athletic Conference rival York College of Pennsylvania for Senior Day on Saturday afternoon, holding on for a 56-54 victory to remain on top in the league.

This matchup was a battle until the final whistle, with some late heroic by the Saints. All knotted up at 52-52 with a minute left in regulation, sophomore Leah Hurst and freshman Tyffani McQueen hooked up with the game-changing basket for the game. Hurst, moving the ball to the top of the key, made a quick dish to the left wing where she found McQueen wide open. Wasting no time, McQueen pulled up from behind the arc and cashed in on what would play out to be the game-winning bucket to put the Saints up 55-52 with 1:04 remaining in the game.

York's Sam Hruz was fouled with 36 seconds remaining and hit both attempts at the line to draw the Spartans within one, but with the clock counting down on YCP, a foul had to be given up on the defensive end, sending senior Miranda Krott to the line. Hitting the front end to put MU up two, 56-54, Krott hit the rim with the second. Hruz came down with the rebound but with just three seconds remaining, the Spartans were unable to get a shot off.

The first three quarters were very similiar to the final few minutes of the game, but the Saints maintained an advantage for much of the first half. Although it was tied up at 2-2 early, an 8-0 run kicked off by two free throws by sophomore Nicole Viscuso pushed an early advantage for the blue and white. Hurst and senior Aileen Maknati hit back-to-back three pointers to cap off the run and force the Spartans to use their first timeout. Coming out of the short break, the Saints continued to build up the momentum before the scoreboard hit zero on the first quarter, as MU carried a 16-11 advantage into the second 10-minute stretch.

Viscuso kept up the intensity on the offensive end, hitting an early bucket to start the second quarter. The Spartans battled their way back into the game, eventually claiming their first lead of the game, 26-25, with just over three minutes left in the half, forcing Marymount to take its first timeout.

It proved beneficial, as the Saints came out of the timeout to complete an 11-0 run to end the half and extend their lead to nine. McQueen started the run off with a jumper, and was followed with a jumper from Viscuso. Viscuso snatched an offensive rebound and continued the run with a strong finish underneath. The half ended with a three at the buzzer by Hurst to give the Saints a 37-26 advantage headed to the locker rooms.

The second half remained close all the way up to the final stretch when the Saints closed out strong for the two-point victory.

McQueen led the offense with a career- and game-high 16 points followed by senior Kievanna Lacey with 13 and Viscuso with 12. On the defensive end, Lacey picked up five steals and two blocks. As a team, the Saints racked up 14 steals and outrebounded the Spartans, 34-28.

The Saints recognized seniors Lacey, Krott, Destiny Welch, and Maknati prior to the game on their careers donning the blue and white.

The women will head on the road to face CAC opponent Penn State University-Harrisburg on Wednesday, February 10. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.