ARLINGTON, Va. – The Marymount University women's basketball team captured its second-straight Atlantic East Conference championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating Cabrini University, 67-49, at the Converse Family Fieldhouse.

The teams battled through a close first quarter, with Marymount holding a 9-7 lead with 2:47 left in the frame.

A pair of free throws from freshman Symantha Shackelford started a 5-2 spurt of the Saints, closing the quarter with a 14-9 lead.

Shackelford hit a layup to start the second, and senior Abby Fisher followed with a three-pointer to push the lead to 10 points, 19-9.

The Cavaliers came back with a 12-3 run to cut the lead down to one, 22-21, but Shackelford netted a jumper just before halftime to give Marymount a three-point lead, at the break.

Shackelford had eight points at halftime to lead the team, while the Saints' defense held Cabrini to only 18.8 percent shooting.

Marymount continued to hold the lead through the start of the third quarter, despite the Cavaliers keeping it close. Shackelford would drain a three at 5:07 to spark the run to help the Saints pull away, closing the quarter on a 14-9 spurt.

Shackelford tallied eight-more points in the run to lead the way, helping the Saints take an 11-point edge, 49-38, into the final quarter.

Marymount's defense continued to clamp down on the Cavaliers, holding them to only 11 points in the fourth quarter and 11.8 percent shooting.

Shackelford and junior Kathryn Ryan combined for the Saints' first 10 points of the fourth, pushing the lead to 59-44. They would not look back from there, cruising to the 18-point victory and second-straight league title.

Shackelford led the team with a career-high 26 points, on 9-of-12 shooting, while pulling down six rebounds and grabbing two steals. She was named the Atlantic East tournament Most Valuable Player for her performance in the postseason.

Sophomore Katie McShea tallied her 16th double-double of the year, as well, with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Saints will now await the NCAA Division III Selection Show on Monday, March 2 at 2:30 p.m., for their spot in the postseason tournament.