ARLINGTON, Va. – The Marymount University women's basketball team improved to 3-0 in Atlantic East Conference play with a 53-48 victory over Cabrini University on Saturday at the Converse Family Fieldhouse.

The Saints were paced by sophomore Terra Dzambo and junior Symantha Shackelford with 18 and 17 points, respectively. In an otherwise even contest, the Saints used a strong third quarter to make the difference in the game, outscoring the Cavaliers 18-9 in the period.

Marymount opened the game with a 7-2 lead, after Dzambo connected on a jump shot, followed by a three-pointer for five-straight points. The Saints pushed their lead to 13-6, but Cabrini battled back to tie the score, 15-15, by the end of the opening period.

The Cavaliers took control in the second quarter with a 9-2 run through the first seven minutes.

Cabrini held an advantage into halftime, but Dzambo converted three foul shots after being fouled on a three-point attempt with only one second remaining in the half to get the Saints back within four, 26-22.

At the break, Dzambo led the team with 12 points. The team held a slight 22-21 edge over the Cavaliers on the boards.

The Saints regained a lead on another long-distance makes from Dzambo at the 5:43 mark of the third quarter, 29-28. She knocked down another trio of foul shots to spark a 9-2 closing run in the frame to take a 40-35 lead into the final quarter.

Marymount pushed the lead to as many as eight in the fourth, as Shackelford knocked down a three at the 6:40 mark, but Cabrini would not go away easily.

The Cavaliers came back with an 8-2 spurt to cut the Saints' lead to 47-45 with just 46 seconds to play. The Saints held strong, as junior Claire Smith converted a jumper and Shackelford hit four free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Marymount will travel to Gwynedd Mercy University for its next game on Wednesday, January 19. The game is set for 6 p.m.