MONMOUTH, Ore. – Despite trailing by 12 points in the second half, the Saints rallied to tie the game late in the fourth quarter; however, Western Oregon held off SMU 72-66 to open up conference action.
 
Makenna Schultz recorded a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds to fuel the second half comeback attempt that tied the score at 60-60. The Wolves clinched the victory at the free throw line, going seven for eight in the final minute.
 
The Saints (4-4, 0-1) jumped out early over the Wolves (5-0, 1-0) on jumpers from Elin Johansson and Saniah Simpson-Patu. Makenna Schultz came off the bench to hit a basket and Simpson-Patu converted the layup and one to extend the Saints' lead to 11-0 with 4:55 left in the quarter. The Saints did not allow a point until the 3:32 mark of the first quarter.
 
After not scoring for the first six and half minutes, the Wolves scored six points in a minute to trim the lead to 11-6. Free throws by Jayla Russ helped keep the Saints on top 13-10 after the first quarter, which ended in a 10-2 run by Western Oregon.
 
The Wolves continued the run in the second quarter by hitting a fast break layup; however, Russ answered back by making a layup and completing the and one at the line. A jumper by Rebekah Baugh and free throws by Johansson extended the Saints' lead to 20-14 with 5:42 left in the half.
 
Western Oregon responded once again and used an 11-4 run to take their first lead at 25-24 with 2:20 left in the half. The Wolves and the Saints traded buckets in the closing minutes as WOU carried the 30-28 lead into the locker rooms.
 
Simpson-Patu tied the game on the first possession of the second half before two jumpers and 3-pointer swung the lead back to the Wolves. Baugh countered with a corner 3-pointer, cutting the score to 38-33 with 7:28 remaining in the half.
 
The Wolves began to pull away, extending their run to 17-5 in the third quarter and a 47-35 lead with 4:59 left in the quarter. The Saints answered right back, starting with a 3-pointer by Schultz, followed by a free throw by Schultz, a bucket by Simpson-Patu and another layup by Schultz. After a WOU bucket, Schultz knocked down another three and pulled the Saints to within 51-46 with 1:55 remaining. WOU carried the 57-50 lead out of the third quarter.
 
The Wolves lead stretched to nine before the Saints began chipping away. A free throw by Simpson-Patu and put back by Johansson, followed by another layup for Johansson brought the score to 60-56 with 7:50 remaining.
 
Nearly three minutes went by without a basket until Simpson-Patu connected in the lane and put the game at one possession with 5:10 left. Simpson-Patu completed the comeback, tying the game at 60-60 on a pair of free throws with 3:51 left in the game.
 
The Wolves regained the lead with a free throw and second chance bucket at 2:07 in the fourth quarter. After another basket by Western Oregon, Simpson-Patu once again pulled the Saints to within one possession on a layup. However, the Wolves sealed the 72-66 victory at the free throw line, knocking down their final seven of eight attempts.

"We need to work on being more disciplined both offensively and defensively," said head coach Christy Martin. "Once we learn to be in the right position defensively and make better decisions offensively, we will be a dangerous team. I'm proud of the growth thus far. Now we need to put it all together."
 
Leading the scoring was Schultz with a career-high 20 points along with another career-high eight rebounds. Simpson-Patu ended with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Johansson recorded a 15-point, eight rebound performance while Baugh added seven points, eight rebounds and a team-high four assists.
 
The Saints shot 25-for-62 (40.3 percent) from the floor, 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) beyond the arc and 12-for-19 (63.2 percent) at the free throw line. SMU recorded 47 rebounds, nine assists on 18 turnovers, with three blocks and two steals.
 
The Saints travel to Portland for a GNAC match up with Concordia on Saturday, December 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. with live video and stats links on smusaints.com.