Marywood University picked the perfect time for its first victory over Marymount University.

The Pacers recovered from squandering a 22-point lead in the third quarter to defeat the Saints, 73-71, in the semifinals of the Atlantic East Conference women’s basketball semifinals Thursday night in Arlington, Virginia.

It is the first time in 16 tries Marywood beat Marymount and it advances to Saturday’s championship game against top-seeded Immaculata University at 1 p.m. The Pacers (14-12) are in a conference final for the first time since 1984 when they were part of the now-defunct Northeastern Pennsylvania Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Association. A victory in the final would qualify Marywood for the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time since 1987.

Things looked good when Marywood held a 58-36 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter. But Marymount would rally. All three meetings between the teams this season were decided in overtime or the final 10 seconds of regulation.

A 3-pointer by Kaylah Barr with three minutes left in the fourth gave the Saints a 68-67 lead. Anyah Ortiz scored for Marywood, but a basket by Catie Kolwey and free throw by Chandler Eddleton put Marymount in front, 71-69, with 1:04 to play.

However, the Pacers would not be denied. Megan Cavoli hit two free throws to tie the game with 53 seconds left. Alli Anstadt then had a steal, which led to Ortiz being fouled with eight seconds left. She hit the first of two free throws to put Marywood in front, 72-71. Eddleton missed for Marymount with two seconds left, Kendel Card grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit the first free throw to secure the victory.

Ortiz totaled a season-high 26 points along with seven assists and three steals for the Pacers. Cavoli scored a career-high 23 points and dished out seven assists. Olivia Ciullo grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Men’s basketball

Wilkes placed four players in double figures and overcame a four-point halftime deficit to upset top-seeded Catholic, 79-70, in the Landmark Conference men’s basketball semifinals Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Wilkes (18-9), the No. 4 seed, will host Susquehanna in the championship game Saturday night at 7 with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

Susquehanna, the No. 6 seed, defeated No. 2 seed Drew, 93-87, on Thursday.

The Colonels shot 49.2% from the floor and were 15 of 19 from the free throw line.

Wilkes trailed, 36-32, at half. Then, with the score tied at 50, Lucas Lesko converted a layup to put the Colonels ahead by two.

From there, Wilkes continued to build on its lead.

Lesko led the Colonels with 27 points. He also had four rebounds and five assists.

Jack Argento scored 18 points and had eight rebounds while Eli Becker had 15 points and eight rebounds. Daniel Santaniello had 17 points and four rebounds.

Susquehanna swept the season series from Wilkes, winning 75-72 at home Dec. 3 and picking up a 90-86 win Feb. 4 at the Marts Center.

Mercer County CC 81, Lackawanna 77: At Lackawanna, Roman Frenklah scored 21 points, Torren Greene had 19 and Joell Idrovo added 17 to lead Mercer to the win in the Region XIX Division II semifinals at the Lackawanna Student Union on Thursday.

Latrell Mark scored a game-high 22 points with nine rebounds to lead the Falcons (16-16), while Jahsan Simms had 16 points.