ARLINGTON, Va. – The Marymount University men's basketball team defeated Marywood University in the first round of the Atlantic East Conference tournament on Tuesday night at the Converse Family Fieldhouse, 76-61.

The Saints got off to a hot start, building an 8-0 lead in the first two minutes of play. Senior LaDarius McCord drilled two threes in the team's first-two possessions, before junior Steve Etienne added a layup.

Continuing to hit from outside, senior Ryan Albert knocked in a three to push the advantage to 12-3.

Five-straight points from Etienne on two layups and a foul shot continued to hold the lead for Marymount, which it would not give up in the first half.

The Pacers were able to cut the Saints advantage down to two with 7:20 to play, but a 7-2 run, capped by a dunk by senior Ibrahim Kamara rebuilt the lead, 26-19.

Again fighting back, Marywood got back to within one. Sophomore Xavier Reaves answered with a three at the 3:30 mark. Following a free throw from sophomore Roey Stern, Etienne put down an alley-oop to bring the lead back to seven, 34-27, with just over two minutes to play in the half.

Marymount took a 35-31 lead into the halftime break, led by 12 points by Etienne. He added five rebounds and two steals.

The Pacers were able to grab their first lead in the first five minutes of the second half, 40-39, but a layup from Etienne began a 10-2 run for the Saints.

Kamara led the spurt with a jumper and a layup, as the Saints regained a seven-point edge, 49-42.

Marymount remained in control from there, pushing the lead to double-digits on a three by senior Taiga Walker for a 60-50 score.

The Saints grew their lead to as many as 17, 72-55, on a layup by Walker, with 2:43 to go, before cruising to the win.

Etienne led the team with 23 points, adding 10 rebounds. Reaves tallied a double-double, as well, with 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Saints will now travel to second-seeded Gwynedd Mercy University on Thursday, February 27 for an Atlantic East Tournament semifinal game; the game is set for 7 p.m.