SEATTLE – A second half surge by Seattle University helped lift the Redhawks over a 3-point barrage by the Saints, led by Luke Chavez with 17 points, to an 88-72 victory inside the Connolly Complex.
 
In an exhibition game for SMU, the Saints shot 14-for-27 beyond the arc to take a lead into halftime; however, a defensive stand by the Redhawks in the closing minutes silenced the Saints' comeback attempt.
 
The Saints took the early 5-0 lead over the Redhawks on a second chance bucket by Matt Dahlen and trailing 3-pointer by EJ Boyce. Seattle U responded with 10 straight points before Boyce ended the run with another 3-pointer.
 
Baskets by Luke Chavez and Jared Mathews and a corner 3-pointer by BJ Standley pulled the Saints back to within five at 20-15 with 11:45 remaining in the first half. A second chance 3-pointer by Caden Smith trimmed the Redhawks' lead to 22-20 minutes later.
 
Following two free throws by Mathews to keep SMU within two, Standley intercepted a pass and found Chavez for a 3-pointer and the Saints' first lead since 5-3 in the opening minutes. The lead traded hands five times over the next four minutes, with the Saints' leading growing to 39-33 on back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers by Robert Little.
 
Saint Martin's lead stretched to as many as seven and key 3-pointers including a buzzer beating basket by Boyce sent SMU into halftime with a 48-44 lead.
 
The Saints picked up right where they left off with a basket by Chavez and a 3-pointer by Jordan Kitchen to extend the lead out to 54-48 in the opening minutes. Seattle U began slowly chipping away at the score; however, Saint Martin's held onto the lead with buckets by Standley and Rhett Baerlocher.
 
The Redhawks took the lead at 60-58 after a layup and one at the line with 12:45 remaining in the game. Seattle U's lead grew to 70-61 on the 12-3 run over the course of six minutes, leaving 8:30 left on the clock. Four free throws by Chavez and a 3-pointer by Baerlocher cut the Redhawks' lead to 72-68 at the 7:46 mark.
 
Seattle U held off the Saints' attack in the final minutes, knocking down 5-of-6 at the free throw line, and winning the exhibition game 88-72.
 
Leading the way was Luke Chavez with 17 points and six assists with two steals and rebounds. Jared Mathews added 11 points and five rebounds and Standley came off the bench for 10 points. Boyce and Little combined for 18 points, all coming from beyond the arc.
 
Saint Martin's shot 24-for-55 (43.6 percent) from the floor, 14-for-27 (51.9 percent) beyond the arc and 10-for-14 (71.4 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints recorded 26 rebounds, 12 assists on 14 turnovers with five steals and two blocks.
 
The Saints return home to host local rival The Evergreen State College on Tuesday, Dec 19 at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com along with a radio broadcast by the Bryant and Clark Sports Connection.