ARLINGTON, Va. – The No. 1-seeded Marymount University women's basketball team punched its ticket to the first-ever Atlantic East Conference tournament championship game on Thursday, defeating No. 5-seeded Immaculata University, 56-35, at the Converse Family Fieldhouse.

Freshman Katie McShea and junior Regan Lohr got the Saints started with a layup and jumper, respectively, for a quick 4-0 lead.

Defense was the key in the first quarter, as the Saints held a 10-1 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Marymount defense held the Mighty Macs without a field goal, while forcing six turnovers, to take command.

The Saints got the offense going to start the second, as McShea hit a layup, followed by a pair of free throws. Lohr and senior Abby Fisher hit back-to-back threes to keep it going to give Marymount a 20-7 lead.

Senior Tyffani McQueen added a long-range make later in the quarter, as the Saints held a 29-9 lead at halftime.

At the break, the Saints were holding the Mighty Macs to only 18.2 percent from the field. After heating up in the second quarter, McShea led the team with eight points in the first half.

McShea notched the first-five points for the Saints in the second half on two layups and a foul shot, on a three-point play, as Marymount continued to hold its lead.

Two jumpers from junior Gabriella Haddad pushed the lead to 45-20 going into the fourth quarter.

Haddad added four more points in the final frame to lead the way to the win.

McShea paced the Saints with 16 points and 10 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season. Haddad added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Marymount moves on to the championship game on Saturday, February 23, hosting No. 2-seed Cabrini University at the Converse Family Fieldhouse; the opening tip is set for 2 p.m.