ARLINGTON, Va. – The Marymount University women's basketball team punched its ticket to the Atlantic East Conference championship game, with a 70-47 victory over Marywood University on Wednesday night in an Atlantic East semifinal contest.

Freshman Symantha Shackelford got the Saints started with a three-pointer on their first possession, sparking a 7-0 run to open the game.

However, Marywood responded to take a 10-9 lead, with a 10-2 run, before hold a 14-11 edge after the first quarter.

The Pacers pushed the edge to 16-11 to start the second, before junior Aidan Phillips hit two free throws and knocked down a three to tie the score.

A 5-0 spurt regained the lead for Marywood, but the Saints flipped the momentum and took a 14-2 run into halftime.

Phillips hit another three to give Marymount the lead, 23-21, with 4:04 to go, before freshman Lauren Cunningham scored from long range. Junior Kathryn Ryan and sophomore Katie McShea converted layups to give the team a 30-23 lead at the break.

Phillips netted 10 points in the second quarter, which led the team at halftime, going two-for-two from three.

Layups from senior Gabriella Haddad, McShea, and Ryan kept the Saints in control to start the second half.

The Saints defense clamped down to only allow nine third-quarter points by the Pacers, while Haddad added two more layups to lead with six points in the frame, allowing Marymount to take a 44-32 lead into the final quarter.

Phillips got hot again in the fourth, pouring in another 12 points, while hitting two more threes. She led a 26-point quarter for the Saints, as the team continued to build on its lead.

She hit on all six of her free throws in the frame, including four down the stretch to secure the win.

Phillips set a career high with 24 points to lead the team, adding six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She converted four-of-five from three, as well.

The Saints will now host Cabrini University in the Atlantic East championship game on Saturday, February 29 at the Converse Family Fieldhouse. The time of the game is to be determined. Log on to www.marymountsaints.com as more information becomes available.