LACEY, Wash. – Despite falling behind early to tenth ranked Western Oregon, Saint Martin's, fueled by efforts off the bench, were able to chip away at Wolves' lead but ultimately fell short 79-71 inside Marcus Pavilion on Thursday night.
 
Western Oregon (14-1, 6-1) led by as many as 17 in the first half; however, big performances by BJ Standley, Jordan Kitchen and Cameron Chatwin allowed the Saints (10-5, 3-4) to trim the lead to as little as three in the closing minutes of the game. Western Oregon staved off the comeback attempt to secure their seventh consecutive victory.
 
The Preseason GNAC Player of the Year, Tanner Omlid, proved to be a one-man show in the first half. Omlid finished the half with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. Behind the efforts of Omlid, Western Oregon was able fight past Saint Martin's using a 21-2, stretching nearly six minutes, and claimed a 35-18 lead with 4:57 left in the half.
 
Saint Martin's started to gain back momentum in closing minutes of the half, starting with a jumper by Luke Chavez, followed by free throws by Jared Mathews, and capped off by a 3-pointer by Chavez. The Saints had cut the lead in half in a matter of four minutes, but a last second bucket by WOU gave them a 41-30 going into halftime.
 
The Saints continued to chip away at the Wolves' lead, starting with a 3-pointer by EJ Boyce, followed by a layup by Tavian Henderson. Chatwin came in for the first time in the game and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the score to 47-41 with 16:26 left.
 
Western Oregon responded by extending the lead back out double-digits and held the Saints without a field goal for nearly four minutes. Standley snapped the cold streak with a steal and fastbreak layup and then knocked down a floater in the lane to pull the Saints within seven. After a defensive stop, Kitchen converted on a jumper in the paint to bring the score to 53-48 with 11:19 left.
 
However, Western Oregon seemed to have an answer every time, and once again extended their lead out to 64-50 over the next four minutes. The Saints slowly began attacking Western Oregon's lead, and after a Kitchen dunk, Standley was a fouled on a 3-point attempt. Standley knocked down all three free throws and pulled SMU within 75-71 with only 20 seconds left. Western Oregon sealed the 79-71 victory by knocking down two free throws and a last second layup.
 
Standley led all Saints with 14 points, on 5-for-8 shooting, while collecting four rebounds and three steals. Chavez added 13 points and three rebounds, while Kitchen finished at eight points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Chatwin provided a critical 11 minutes off the bench, adding six points and two rebounds. Tavian Henderson and Jared Mathews combined for 15 points, and three rebounds.
 
Saint Martin's as whole shot 24-for-50 (48.0 percent) from the field, 10-for-24 (41.7 percent) beyond the arc, and 13-for-18 (72.2 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints recorded 28 rebounds, nine assists on 18 turnovers, along with three blocks and 10 steals.
 
Saint Martin's will take Friday off before returning to action at home against Concordia University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with live stats and video links on smusaints.com along with a radio broadcast by The Bryant and Clark Sports Connection.