LACEY, Wash. – Bria Thames and Tierney DeDonatis combined for 32 points Thursday night to lead the Saints to a 72-62 win over Vancouver Island inside Marcus Pavilion.

The Saints came out firing in the first half and raced to a 41-25 lead, and continued to hold this throughout the entirety of the game. Thames showcased a season-best of 17 rebounds, leading all players, while scoring 14 points. DeDonatis led all players with 18 points while not leaving the court.

Saint Martin's jumped out to an early lead to start the game by going on a nine point run, giving the Saints a 14-6 lead just five minutes in. The Saints and Mariners traded baskets in the following minutes and ended the first quarter 20-14 with Saint Martin's in the lead.

In the second quarter, the Saints' offense heated up, with six different Saints scoring. Back-to-back threes and a layup from the Saints widened the lead to 36-22. A three-pointer from Janealle Sutterlict made it 39-23, and a jumper by Claire Dingus gave the Saints a 16-point lead heading into halftime, ending the quarter 41-25.

Thames scored seconds into the third quarter, giving the Saints their biggest lead in the game with 18. The Saints cooled down and the Mariners capitalized by outscoring them 24-19. However, the Saints closed out the period ahead 60-49. 

Entering into the final quarter, both teams continued to knock down shots, with the Mariners unable to come within less than seven. DeDonatis knocked down three more baskets in the quarter and the Saints defended their home court with a final score of 72-62.

Thames finished with her third double-double of the season and DeDonatis added three assists to go with her 18 points. Dingus recorded 11 points and seven rebounds, while Sutterlict added nine points and four assists. Makenna Schultz came off the bench for eight points and three rebounds.

Saint Martin's shot 24-for-65 (36.9 percent) from the floor, 8-for-32 beyond the arc, and 16-for-18 (88.9 percent) at the line. On the night, the Saints collected 40 rebounds, with 17 assists on 19 turnovers, along with seven steals and one block.

The Saints will start off the New Year hosting GNAC games against the Alaska schools. The first tip-off will be Thursday, January 2 at 5:15 p.m. against Alaska with live stats and video available at smusaints.com.