GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. -- The Marymount University men's basketball team got back into the win column on Wednesday evening with a 65-56 win over Atlantic East Conference foe Gwynedd Mercy University on the road. 

It was a battle for the Saints, as they had to halt a comeback attempt from Griffins late in the second half. With just under two minutes on the clock, Gwynedd Mercy cut Marymount's lead to five at 59-54. As the Griffins threatened, rookie Jack Bifano stepped up to the plate and knocked down a jumper off of a feed from Montell Cooper to put the Saints ahead by seven.

Bifano added another two points from the charity stripe with 20 ticks left on the clock. Gwynedd Mercy hit a jump shot with 12 seconds left in regulation, but a pair of free throws from senior Roey Stern sealed the win for Marymount. 

The Blue and White's work in the first half helped keep them ahead through the exciting finish on the road. Marymount outscored the Griffins, 39-25, in the opening frame behind a 51.9% field-goal percentage. The Saints opened the tilt with a 7-2 run, capped by a three-point-play from Wyatt Hockenberry, which set the tone for the contest. Marymount never relinquished its lead for the remainder of the game, despite Gwynedd Mercy's best efforts. 

Xavier Reaves led the Saints once again with a 14-point, 13-rebound, double-double. The senior added four steals, one block, and one assist to stuff the stat sheet. Stern netted a season-high 11 points and three assists, while Cooper, Hockenberry, and Bifano chipped in eight points apiece. Cooper finished with a game-high-tying four assists. 

Marymount will aim for its third conference victory of the season on Saturday, January 22, when it hits the road to take on Neumann University at 3:00 p.m.