LACEY, Wash. – The 11th ranked Saints did not have an easy task to close out the 2018 year, hosting Dixie State, an NCAA Tournament team from a year ago. However, a blazing hot start by EJ Boyce, including seven first half 3-pointers, and another stellar performance on the defensive end as a team, the Saints handled the Trailblazers to a tune of 76-59.
 
It did not take long for the Saints to establish control of the game, hitting six 3-pointers in the opening ten minutes, and starting the game on a 27-8 run. As a team, the Saints shot nearly 60 percent from beyond the first half, led by Boyce and his 23 points. The second half, the Saints locked down on defense, resulting in a season-high eight blocks, and nearly another season-high in steals with 12 as Saint Martin's cruised to their seventh straight victory of the season.
 
"There's a lot of things to be happy about tonight," said head coach Alex Pribble. "We came off a long break for final exams, where they performed very well in the classroom, earning a team GPA of 3.05, and performed really well tonight on the court. We really shared the ball, and played unselfish, which led to open looks. EJ and Rhett both shot the ball well, but it was truly a team effort."
 
After opening the game with a 27-8 lead, the Saints' lead only continued to grow as the first half wore on. Boyce continued one of the hottest shooting streak Saints fans have seen in a long time, as he hit three more 3-pointers to stretch to 40-18. Rhett Baerlocher and Luke Chavez joined in on a long ball party, hitting a few of their own and put the game at the largest lead all night at 25, 47-22, with 2:49 left in the half.
 
The Saints' defense limited Dixie State, who averaged 72 points per game coming into tonight, to only 26 points at half. In the second half, the Saints' barrage from deep dropped from nearly 60 percent to only 21 percent. Without the long ball, SMU's offense became a bit stagnant, only scoring 28 points. Baerlocher picked up the team when they needed it the most, scoring 10 points in the second half.
 
However, the Saints focused their efforts on the defensive end of the floor once again, limiting the Trailblazers' chances of making any kind of comeback. The Saints forced a total of 18 turnovers, with Baerlocher and Chavez combining for seven steals in the second half alone.

With the Saints taking an early lead and setting the tempo, the Trailblazers were forced to play outside the paint and fire off 3-pointers. Dixie State ended the night with only a 7.7 percent mark from deep. The Saints cruised in the final minutes of the game to the 76-59 win to close out the 2018 year, a year that marked 25 victories and only five losses, including last season.
 
"Dixie State is a perennial power, who is physical and very well coached," said Pribble. "Our guys stepped up to the challenge and protected our home court. It's nice to head into the break with a solid win."
 
Boyce tied a career-high with eight 3-pointers, and led the game with 28 points, a season-high mark. Baerlocher finished the night with 19 points, along with three rebounds and five steals. Chavez added 11 points, four assists, and four steals. Chandler Redix and Jordan Kitchen combined for 14 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks.
 
As a team, Saint Martin's was 26-for-52 (50.0 percent) from the field, 14-for-33 (42.4 percent) beyond the arc, and 10-for-19 (52.6 percent) at the line. Saint Martin's grabbed 32 rebounds, along with 13 assists on 14 turnovers, 12 steals, and eight blocks.
 
"Things only get tougher as we enter conference," Pribble proclaimed. "The GNAC is a battle every night, and our guys will need to be prepared for a tough and scrappy Simon Fraser team after the holiday."
 
The Saints begin the 2019 year with a trip to Canada, taking on Simon Fraser to resume GNAC action on January 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.