FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Despite 18 points by Luke Chavez and a season-high 18 points from Rhett Baerlocher, the Saints fell to Alaska 78-71 on the road Saturday afternoon.
 
Saint Martin's struggled to find their shot from beyond the arc, connecting on only 30 percent of their shots, while Alaska shot 53.6 percent from the field as SMU fell to 10-4 overall and 3-3 in conference action.
 
In the early goings, neither side was able to create an advantage with Alaska holding an 11-10 lead with 11:48 left in the first half. Matt Dahlen and Luke Chavez provided eight of the first 10 points for the Saints. Out of the second media timeout, the Nanooks connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to extend their lead out to seven.
 
Alaska established controlled following their 15-3 run that stretched nearly seven minutes, claiming a 25-13 lead with 7:00 minutes remaining. Rhett Baerlocher jumpstarted the Saints' offense with a 3-pointer, leading to a 3-pointer by BJ Standley and a Baerlocher layup as SMU trimmed the lead to nine. After an and-one by Luke Chavez, Baerlocher lit up the Nanooks' defense for six more points and brought Saint Martin's to within one possession, 32-30, in the closing minutes of the first half.
 
Alaska's offense quickly responded at the start of the second half, going on an 11-1 run and extending their lead out to 11, 43-32. Once again, the Saints answered back, using 3-pointers by Chavez and Jared Mathews, and a Mathews' layup to jump back into the game and cut the score to 46-40 with 13:35 remaining.
 
Despite the Saints once again nearly closing the gap, Alaska proceeded with an 11-2 run to break open a 57-44 lead over the next six minutes of action. The Saints refused to back down, and with clutch 3-pointers by Baerlocher and Robert Little, along with baskets by Chavez, cut into the Nanooks' lead and trailed 64-60 with 4:28 remaining. The Saints managed to cut the game to a one possession lead in the final seconds; however, Alaska sealed the 78-71 victory at the free throw line.

"Unfortunately this is a lesson that we needed," said head coach Alex Pribble. "We are still a young team that needs to be learning every time we step on the floor. We weren't prepared to give our best effort tonight, and Fairbanks did a great job capitalizing."
 
Chavez finished his eighth game this season with 15 or points, ending at 18, while collecting seven rebounds and two assists. Baerlocher set a season-high with 18 points, along with seven rebounds and two assists as well in 32 minutes of action. EJ Boyce finished with nine points while Robert Little came off the bench for seven points and six rebounds.

"Cam (Chatwin), Rob (Little), and Rhett (Baerlocher) all brought great energy tonight," Pribble said. "It was great to see their fight. It's my responsibility to make sure all these guys are prepared and are getting better day by day, and we need to get back to that process."
 
Saint Martin's as a whole shot 26-for-65 (40.0 percent) from the floor, 11-for-36 (30.6 percent) beyond the arc and 8-for-10 (80.0 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints finished with 31 rebounds, nine assists on 10 turnovers, along with two blocks and three steals.
 
The Saints return home to Marcus Pavilion to host nationally ranked Western Oregon on Jan 11 at 7:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available, along with radio coverage by The Bryant and Clark Sports Connection on smusaints.com.