RADNOR, PA - The Cabrini women's basketball team gained sole possession of first place in the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) standings this evening following a thrilling 54-51 victory over the Marymount University Saints. 

Offensively, the Cavaliers were led by a quartet of shooters in sophomores Ashley Tutzauer and Lexi Edwards, as well as senior Nomi Washington and junior Meghan Matthews. The group combined for 46 of the Cavs' 54 points and delivered clutch baskets throughout the contest. 

Tutzauer tallied a team high 15 points, while Edwards chipped in 11 points, including three assists and two steals. Washington added 10 points, but it was Matthews who stuffed the stat sheet. The forward did it all as she narrowly missed a triple double, thanks to 10 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and two assists for the Blue and White. 

The Cavs opened the game on a 10-to-3 run, highlighted by a pair of triples from Edwards and Matthews and a coast to coast finish from senior Gaby Jones, to steal the momentum. Back to back layups from Tutzauer and Matthews pushed the Cavalier lead to 16-5 before Marymount's Gabriella Haddad ended the drought with a layup at the 1:54 mark. The layup marked the Saints first field goal in just over eight minutes of action. 

The 16-7 Cavalier lead would carry over to the second quarter before a layup from the Saints Katie McShea cut the Cabrini lead to 16-9. The Blue and White would respond with a 10-to-4 run over the next seven minutes of play to push the lead to 26-13 with 1:30 left in the half. After swapping baskets, the Blue and White would end the half with a 28-17 advantage. 

The third quarter featured more back and fourth action before the Saints made a late push in the final stanza. 

Trailing 52-40 with 4:31 left the play, the Saints rattled off an 11-to-1 run to trim the Cavaliers' lead to 53-51 with 57 seconds to play. Following a missed jumper from Matthews with 38 seconds on the clock and a Marymount timeout, the Saints Abby Fisher drove to the rim and dished to an open McShea under the basket. McShea, who led the Saints with 17 points and 15 rebounds, couldn't convert the routine layup, but grabbed her own rebound and forced the Cavalier defense into a foul with just six seconds on the clock. 

Facing a pair of pressure free throws to tie, the freshman rimmed out both attempts, the latter of which ended up in the outstretched arms of Matthews. The Saints were forced to foul following a Cavalier timeout and sent Tutzuaer to the line with a chance to ice the game. 

The sophomore delivered as she hit the front end of a pair of free throws to push the Cavs lead to 54-51 with four seconds left. The missed second attempt allowed time to run out, securing the thrilling 54-51 victory for the Cavs. 

In total, the Cavs forced an even 20 turnovers and held Marymount to a near season low 32.7 percent from the field, including just 3-of-13 from beyond the arc. 

As mentioned, the Blue and White now own sole possession of first place in the AEC following tonight's game and improve to 11-8 overall and 6-0 in conference. The Saints fall to 14-5 overall and sit just behind the Cavaliers at 5-1 in AEC play. 

Cabrini will look to keep things rolling this Sunday, January 27th, when they host Gwynedd Mercy University at 1pm for their annual alumni day.