NORTH EAST, PA - The Villa Maria Vikings nearly erased a 15-point second half deficit but couldn't complete the comeback, falling 87-79 to the Mercyhurst North East Saints on Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings (7-19) used a 13-2 run late in the second half to get within one, 70-69 with 4:47 left, but couldn't take the lead as the athleticism of the Saints was just too much to handle.  Freshman DeJaun Owens (Buffalo, NY/Tapestry) scored a career-high 26 points and hit 6 triples for Villa.  Sophomore Justin Stokes (Buffalom NY/Middle Early College) finished with 21 points and nine rebounds to go along with three assists, three steals, and a block.

The Saints (15-4) picked up their 11th straight victory and were paced by Gerrell Williams who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five steals.

Villa shot just over 43 percent from the floor and and 35 percent from three.  They were able to force Mercyhurst into 20 turnovers, converting those into 22 points.

The Vikings are off for nearly three weeks and are back in action on Wednesday, February 3 when they travel to Canandaigua to take on Finger Lakes Community College at 7 p.m.