Arlington, Va. – A decisive opening round win over Roanoke on Saturday afternoon gave the Saints the chance to defend – successfully – their Pablo Coto Tip-Off Tournament title.  Marymount narrowly defeated Rhode Island College on Sunday to reclaim its championship distinction. 

The season opener against the Maroons saw Marymount's well-balanced rookie class step up and set the tone early.  The Saints found themselves down in the opening half – battling point-for-point to a 17-16 deficit at the 12:58 mark.  The Blue and White, however, knotted the score with a Dmitri Rucker free throw before going on an absolute tear – using a 23-2 run to extend the deficit to a weighty 39-19. 

A Danny Ferry three-pointer at the first-half buzzer gave the Saints a comfortable 46-27 lead rolling into the break.

The second half saw much of the same from the potent Saints' offense, with Roanoke never coming within 14 points.  The Blue and White cruised to an 86-57 win in the season opener.

Rucker and fellow freshman D'Ondre Stockman combined for 30 points – Rucker tallying 12 and Stockman pouring in a game-high 18.

The Saints rebounded by committee in the effort, as four different Saints hauled in six boards apiece.

Sunday's title game against Rhode Island College proved a much closer affair, with the advantage changing hands 13 times and Marymount not truly pulling away until the final five minutes. 

Once again, the Saints' depth came in handy late in the game, as the Blue and White posted 34 points off the bench.   

A pair of Jesse Konadu free throws cut the Marymount deficit to 56-55 before a Michael Anderson drive and layup gave the Blue and White the one-point advantage with 4:06 left on the clock.

The Saints capped their weekend effort with a 10-3 run to seal the deal at 67-59 and swipe their second Pablo Coto Tip-Off Championship in as many years.

Stockman and Rucker once again paced the Marymount offense – posting 17 and 13 points, respectively.  Konadu chipped in 14 points to round out the scoring effort.

Under the hoop, JC Hoellich proved insurmountable, snatching seven rebounds in the title game. 

Konadu was named to the All-Tournament Team, while Stockman collected top honors as the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.  The rookie posted 35 points between the two games.

Marymount looks to build on its 2-0 start on Saturday as it hosts Southern Vermont at 4 p.m.