GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Marymount University men's basketball team fell in the Atlantic East Conference semifinals on Thursday night at Gwynedd Mercy University, 87-83.

The Saints found their outside stroke early, as sophomore Xavier Reaves hit back-to-back three-pointers on the team's first two possessions. Senior Josh Giardina knocked in a three on their third possession, before forcing a steal and assisting a layup by classmate Taiga Walker.

Walker, then, drained a three of his own, and Reaves hit two free throws to complete a 16-5 run to open the game.

Marymount continued to hold its lead through the first half, and another pair of back-to-back threes from Reaves and Giardina put the Saints ahead, 31-21.

The Griffins responded with a 12-4 run to get the Saints' lead down to two, which began a close battle for the rest of the game.

Freshman Tre Dunn tallied six points in the final five minutes to keep the Saints ahead, 39-34, but another Gwynedd Mercy run brought the halftime score to a, 44-44, tie.

At halftime, both teams were shooting over 55 percent from the floor, with the Saints holding a 57.7 percent clip, including 53.3 percent from three. The teams were also close on the boards, as the Griffins held a slight 12-11 edge.

Seven points from senior LaDarius McCord, including a make from three, led a run to put Marymount back in the lead to start the second half, 53-47.

Marymount continued to stay ahead for the first seven minutes of the second, before the Griffins tied the score, 59-59, eventually taking a 65-59 lead.

The score remained close, as senior Ibrahim Kamara's eight points, including two dunks, paced a 15-9 stretch, as the Saints came back for a 74-74 tie with 5:35 to go.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch, and Reaves scored a layup to take a 78-76 lead, but Gwynedd Mercy used a 4-0 spurt to jump back ahead.

Four free throws by junior Steve Etienne knotted the score again, 82-82, but a three on the Griffin's next possession put them ahead for good with 44 seconds remaining.

Reaves led the team with 19 points, while Walker and Kamara chipped in with 15 and 12, respectively. Kamara led the team with six rebounds, and Giardina dished out a team-high six assists.

The Saints will now look to the NCAA Division III tournament and ECAC tournament selections for a possible postseason berth. Log on to www.marymountsaints.com for more information, as it becomes available.