Coming Up – Cal State San Bernardino (November 11, Monmouth, Oregon, 12:00 p.m.), Dixie State (November 12, Monmouth, Oregon, 12:00 p.m.).

COMPLETE MEDIA GUIDE
 
Live Stats/Live Video – Live Stats and Live Video of both of SMU's Basketball Games will be available with links found on smusaints.com. Live stats and video will be produced by the Host School.
 
Social Media – Follow the Saints on Twitter (@Saints_WBB) and follow SMU Athletics on Facebook (Saint Martin's Saints), Twitter (SMUAthletics), Instagram (saints_athletics) and YouTube (SMU Athletics).
 
Ticket Information - SMU students get in free to all SMU home games with a valid student ID card and tickets are available for only six dollars. Seniors/Military/Non-SMU Students get in for four dollars. Children under the age of 11 get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling Abbey Bergquist at 360-438-4305.
 
Season Preview - A new era is set to begin with the Saint Martin's Women's Basketball team after the hiring of head coach Christy Martin during the off season.
 
After a 2016-17 season that saw Saint Martin's going 5-23 overall and 1-19 in conference, the Saints will look to senior leader, a 20116-17 GNAC All-Conference selection and 2017-18 Preseason GNAC All-Conference selection, Elin Johansson. Guiding SMU is Christy Martin, who recently served as the head coach at Tacoma Community College. Martin turned her previous two stops (Blue Mountain CC and Tacoma CC) into playoff teams in the NWAC.
 
"I am excited and optimistic with our progress so far," said Martin.  "I have been pleased with the commitment and belief in the system that has been put in place.  We are hungry and determined to reach our full potential this season.  I am impressed with the leadership that was already established, as well as the leaders that are emerging.  The new players and returners complement each other nicely and seem to be clicking well both off the floor.  Our foundation is strong now is the time to build something great."
 
Guards
 
The lone returning starting guard is senior Hannah Reynolds who started all 28 games last season. Reynolds is the third returning scorer for the Saints after averaging 8.3 points per game, while shooting a team-leading .357 from beyond the arc. Reynolds also lead the team in assists with 64 and is the second leading returner in steals at 28 last year. The Saints bring back depth off the bench in the backcourt, starting with Makenna Schultz, Rebekah Baugh, and Shyler Sullivan. Baugh played the most of any guard off the bench, with 471 minutes of action in 28 games. Baugh averaged 2.6 points per game while collecting 30 assists and 49 rebounds. Schultz and Sullivan saw action in every game while averaging a collective 5.4 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game. Other notable returners include Emma Kennedy who played in 26 games, for a total of 180 minutes, while averaging 1.4 points per game. Adding depth at the position are returners Marissa Miller, Sara Bowen, and Sydney Anderson.
 
The Saints brought in two additions to the team, transfer Jayla Russ and freshman Saniah Simpson-Patu, both will play both inside and outside. Russ, who played last season with Eastern Michigan University, played in 17 games and scored a total of 12 points and 16 rebounds. In an average of 6.2 minutes per game, Russ scored a career-high five against Air Force on Dec 21.  Simpson-Patu, from Las Vegas, played her final season of high school basketball at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle.
 
"Our depth is at the guard spot," Martin said. "We have many guards that have the tools to be successful.  The thing that will set them apart from one another will be their commitment to rebounding and defending.  We have put a great deal of emphasis on taking high percentage shots and moving the ball from side to side as well as capitalizing on our post presence."
 
Forwards
 
In what appears the Saints' strength this season will be the play of their posts, starting with All-Conference selection Johansson. Looking to build on a successful junior year where she averaged 13.2 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game, Johansson was selected as a 2017-18 GNAC Preseason All-Conference player. Assisting her down low will be Mercedes Victor, who was second in scoring on team with 8.8 points per game as only a freshman. Victor added 4.2 rebounds per game along with a team-leading 35 steals and 10 blocks. Returning with Johannson and Victor is senior Lauren Lindley and junior Mallory Kessler. Lindley played in all but one game for the Saints last season while managing 17 total points and 35 rebounds. Kessler gives SMU more experience down low after playing in 27 games for a total of 149 minutes. Kessler scored 46 total points and grabbed 52 rebounds, including 40 on the defensive end.
 
"Having a pre-season all conference player at the Center is a benefit," said Martin. "We are working to establish a strong inside game.  In order to do that we will need to recognize when and where to get our inside players the ball.  Having players that can step out to the perimeter and face up to the basket gives us some versatility."