SAN DIEGO, Calif. – All preseason long, the Saints were talked about as one of the best teams in the West Region, and all the talk looked true in their season opener. The Saints found their offensive flow halfway through the first half, and cruised to a 86-61 win.
 
Only one Saint (1-0) played more than 25 minutes on the court, Rhett Baerlocher, and the wealth was spread out on the offensive end. Two Saints reached the double-digit mark, Baerlocher and Tavian Henderson,, but nine Saints scored five or more points in a total team effort. SMU overpowered Fresno Pacific (0-1) down low to a tune of 50-34 in points in the paint, and bench production, 45-24, as 13 Saints saw action in the game.

"It's really nice to get this first one under our belt," said head coach Alex Pribble. "Our players came out with a good focus, but credit Fresno Pacific for starting fast. Our guys are really still trying to find a good rhythm early in the year, but I thought we really settled down in the second half."
 
In the opening possessions, the Sun Birds knocked down a couple shots, including a 3-pointer to gain a quick 7-3 edge. The lead for Fresno Pacific stretched to as many as five in the first half, but the Saints' offense came alive with production in the paint. The first 16 points by the Saints was scored in the key, before EJ Boyce connected on the first 3-pointer of the season at the 9:44 mark to tie the game.
 
On the next possession, Chandler Redix turned a steal into fast break points, giving SMU a lead, one they would maintain for the rest of the game. Fresno Pacific managed to close the gap to one point on multiple occasions, the last coming with 5:07 left in the half. The Saints began to pull away in the final minutes of the half,  hitting on four 3-pointers, including two by GNAC Preseason Player of the Year Luke Chavez. The Saints ended the half on an 18-7 run, and carried a 46-34 lead into the break.
 
Saint Martin's kept the pressure on in the second half, opening their lead to as many as 24 points. With the comfortable lead, the Saints were able to pull most of the starters and allow players like Marky Adams, Caden Smith, Robert Little, and Alexis Angeles time on the court; and they made the most of it.
 
Down the stretch, Angeles connected on a 3-pointer, and a jumper, while Smith and Little each added 3-pointers of their own. Adams provided the Saints a force down low, scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds. The four combined for 17 points to help the Saints stretch their lead all the way to 28, and close out the convincing 86-61 season opening victory.
 
Tavian Henderson, who was one of the most efficient scorers in the country last season, continued his ways, leading the Saints with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Rhett Baerlocher added 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in just 27 minutes of action, which was the most of any SMU player. Chavez ended with eight points, two rebounds, and three assists in 15 minutes, while Boyce had six points on two 3-pointers and a team-leading five assists.
 
As a team, the Saints shot the ball efficiently, going 35-for-66 (53.0 percent) from the floor, 10-for-23 (43.5 percent) beyond the arc, and 6-for-9 (66.7 percent) at the line. 45 points came from the bench, while 50 points came inside the paint. The Saints forced 19 turnovers and scored 23 points off the turnovers.

"We had 23 assists on 35 makes," stated Pribble, "so I was really proud of the way we shared the ball. Every player got some significant playing time tonight, and every guy scored. Tomorrow night will be a huge test. Point Loma is the host school, and they are one of teh top teams in the region. I'm excited to see how we respond to the challenge."
 
The Saints close out the Sea Lion Tip-off against host school Point Loma, tomorrow, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and video of the game will be available with links on smusaints.com.