ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Marymount University men's basketball team hung tough with the No. 10-nationally ranked Captains of Christopher Newport University on Saturday afternoon but was unable to keep pace as the visitors walked away with a 91-66 win. 

The Saints jumped on the Captains at the start of the tilt and raced out to an 18-4 edge on the heels of a 3-point jumper from Nick Rivas. While CNU chipped away as time wore on, Montell Cooper knocked down a pair from the charity stripe to put the Blue and White up 27-15. CNU grew into the half as time wore on, however, and eventually seized the lead at 32-31. Marymount kept it close, but the Captains took a 44-36 at the half-time break.

The Blue and White shot a stellar 51.9% (14-for-27) from the floor in the first half and knocked down 75% (6-for-8) of their attempts from the free-throw line. MU's defense also hounded the visitors to the tune of seven steals. 

Despite MU's strong first half, the Captains found their footing in the second frame and eventually built a 63-44 lead after back-to-back buckets from Jahn Hines. MU continued to battle as points from Marcus Stubbs and Zamir Clifton cut into the visitors' edge. Despite the Saints' effort, CNU's offense proved to be too much as the away side kept Marymount at bay.

MU ended the contest with a 44.2% (23-for-52) mark from the floor and a 65.4% (17-for-26) conversion rate at the free-throw line. CNU shot just 36.4% (4-for-11) at the charity stripe. The Blue and White's on-ball defense shone once again, as the Saints finished with a 9-5 edge in steals.

A trio of Saints finished in double figures as Cooper and Stubbs scored 12 points apiece. Stubbs added two steals, two rebounds, and one assist. Cooper finished with two boards one assist and one block. Senior Xavier Reaves netted 10 points and tied for the team lead with four rebounds. He registered four steals to mark his eighth game with four or more steals this season.

Marymount returns to Atlantic East Conference play on Wednesday, January 12, when it hosts Centenary University at 8:00 p.m.