LACEY, Wash. – Saniah Simpson-Patu heated up in the warm Hawaii sun, dropping a new career-high 34 points; however, a slow offensive start by the Saints as a team proved to be fatal against Hawaii Pacific. The Sharks defended their home state and secured the 86-67 victory.
 
Hawaii Pacific stuffed the Saints in the early goings, limiting SMU to only three points in the first quarter. Using the slow start, the Sharks managed to build up a lead large enough to hold them over for the rest of the game. Outside of Simpson-Patu's 34 points, the Saints as a team scored 33 points, including a 2-for-16 night beyond the arc.
 
The first quarter was the Saints' worst shooting performance of the season to date, scoring only one field, Megan Nilsson's layup, and a free throw by Bria Thames. The Sharks built up a 16-3 lead after the one.
 
Hawaii Pacific's lead continued to grow throughout the second quarter, outscoring the Saints 22-13. Simpson-Patu's first points did not come until 3:53 left in the half and closed out the half, scoring the final seven points for SMU.
 
Simpson-Patu continued her run in the second half, opening with five points to cap-off a 12-point streak. Saint Martin's managed to outscore the Sharks in the third quarter, 21-16, with Thames and Simpson-Patu combining for 18 points. Sara Bowen knocked down a 3-pointer on the final possession to put the score at 57-39.
 
The fourth quarter was an offensive shootout, with both teams combining for 55 points. Despite the Saints scoring 26 points, and continuing to improve their offensive game, the Sharks' lead was too much to overcome, and SMU dropped the tournament opener 86-67.
 
Simpson-Patu's career night came on a 13-for-20 shooting performance, with 27 points coming in the second half. She also finished with three assists, two rebounds, one block, and one steal in 31 minutes. Claire Dingus added 11 points and team leading seven rebounds. Thames wrapped up with nine points, a career-high, and six rebounds.
 
As a tea, SMU was 26-for-65 (40.0 percent) from the field, 4-for-19 (21.1 percent) from beyond the arc, and 11-of-16 (68.8 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints collected 37 rebounds, 12 assists on 19 turnovers, along with five blocks and six steals.
 
SMU takes on Chaminade tomorrow for game two of their three games in Hawaii. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. with live stats on smusaints.com.