ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Marymount University women's basketball team improved to 2-0 in Atlantic East Conference play on Wednesday evening with a 60-44 win over Centenary University inside of Converse Family Fieldhouse.

The Blue and White led for a little over 32 minutes of the tilt, as they forced Centenary into a whopping 29 turnovers. While Marymount's defense gave the Cyclones fits, the Saints showcased a penchant for scoring down low throughout the contest. MU finished the contest with a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint.

MU's defense spurred its offense in the first half, which resulted in a 29-20 advantage for the Blue and White at the break. The Saints forced the Cyclones into 14 turnovers over the first two quarters, which translated into 14 points. 

After a back-and-forth start to the game, the Cyclones took a 9-4 lead with a little over four minutes on the clock. The Saints answered with a 9-0 run to close out the period to retake control of the tilt with the score at 13-9. Claire Smith spurred the barrage with a pair of buckets while Symantha Shackelford added a 3-point make. 

The Cyclones continued to pester the Saints in the second frame and cut Marymount's lead to three at 17-14, after a make from Carmen Escano. The Blue and White responded with seven consecutive points to jump out to a 24-14 advantage. Ava Achtyl bookended the run with a pair of baskets in the paint. Smith gave the Saints the final say in the quarter with a layup that pushed MU's lead to 29-20. 

Marymount continued to control the contest in the third quarter and eventually pushed its lead to 12 with four minutes on the clock after a jumper from Caroline Catterton. The two sides continued to trade baskets as time wound down, but back-to-back layups from Terra Dzambo and Smith gave MU a 42-30 edge at the end of the period. 

The Saints kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter and eventually opened a 17-point advantage with a nine-point run in a near-two-minute span. It was smooth sailing from there, as MU hit some free throws late to give the game its final score. 

Smith led the way for Marymount with a career night on the offensive end with a game-high 22 points. The junior finished with a double-double with 10 boards and three steals. Shackelford finished in double-figures for the Saints with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. 

The Saints remain at home for their next contest on Saturday, January 15, when they host AEC rival Cabrini at 1:00 p.m.