NAMPA, Idaho – Four Nighthawks scored in double-digits to defeat Saint Martin's 92-67 in the first weekend of GNAC action on Saturday.
 
Hot-shooting by the Nighthawks snapped Saint Martin's five game win streak and handed the Saints their first loss in the GNAC schedule.

"Credit Northwest Nazarene for a great game tonight," said head coach Alex Pribble. "Coach Rush has them playing very well and we didn't respond well to the challenge."
 
The Saints jumped out to an early 14-3 lead over the Nighthawks on six early points by Jordan Kitchen and 3-pointers by EJ Boyce and Rhett Baerlocher. The Saints' double-digit lead dwindled over the next few minutes, with the Nighthawks cutting the score to 19-16 with 13:06 remaining in the half.
 
The Nighthawks tied the game at 20-20 and 24-24, responding each time the Saints regained the lead. Despite baskets by Tavian Henderson and a 3-pointer Boyce, Northwest Nazarene took the lead at 31-29 with 6:21 left in the half.
 
NNU extended out to their largest lead of the half after a quick 7-0 run at 40-32 with 1:58 remaining. Henderson found a cutting Jared Mathews for a dunk to snap the Saints' four-minute field goal drought to pull SMU to within six. The Nighthawks' carried a 42-35 lead in to the locker room.
 
Northwest Nazarene opened the second half on a 14-6 run, gaining their first double-digit lead of the game at 56-41 with 15:26 remaining. A five-minute run by the Saints, with only one made field goal, allowed the Nighthawks to establish control.
 
Chavez attempted to kick start the offense, knocking down two 3-pointers; however, Northwest Nazarene responded with points the following possession both times. Saint Martin's struggled to find their rhythm beyond the arc in the second half, going 2-for-12 and throughout the game (6-for-26).
 
The Nighthawks cruised to the 92-67 victory, snapping the Saints' five game winning streak, dating back Nov 14.  

"We came out of the gate focused and ready to go," Pribble said. "Guys were prepared and were playing with confidence, but we hit a little adversity early in the first half. Unfortunately, we didn't respond well to that, we didn't come together well, and this will be an important lesson for us moving forward."
 
Luke Chavez led the Saints with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. Kitchen added 10 points, four rebounds and four assists while Henderson scored 10 points and grabbed five boards. Boyce and Mathews combined for 17 points.
 
Saint Martin's shot 26-for-63 (41.3 percent) on the floor, 6-for-26 (23.1 percent) beyond the arc and 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints collected 29 rebounds with 14 assists on 15 turnovers, along with one block and five steals.

"I love this group of guys," said Pribble. "They're great people, great competitors, but they're still getting to know each other. We will continue to grow and get better."
 
The Saints will have a week off before returning home to host Quest University on Dec 9 at 2:00 p.m. Live stats and video of the game will be available on smusaints.com.