LACEY, Wash. – From a dominating performance in the opening quarter, to holding off a Saints' run in the third, and finishing it off with lights out act in the fourth, No. 9 Northwest Nazarene controlled very aspect of the game in the 70-43 victory over SMU.
The Nighthawks, who posted their 20th victory of the season, did so with a suffocating defense. On the night, NNU limited the Saints to only 25.0 percent from the field, and a combined 0-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc.
Claire Dingus missed by one rebound on posting back-to-back doubles for the Saints, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Makenna Schultz was the only other Saint to reach double-figures in scoring, ending with 12 points.
The lone tie of the game came on a jumper by Schultz to knot the score at 2-2. Avery Albrecht, who led all scorers with 21 points, connected on a layup and the Nighthawks never looked back. Albrecht's basket sparked a 25-point quarter for NNU, one that they also held SMU to only nine points and four field goals.
The second quarter was no easier for the Saints, as they converted just two field goals in the 10 minutes. Nighthawks' lead continued to grow over the quarter, before hitting as many as 25 and went to the locker room with a 43-20 lead.
Megan Nilsson jumpstarted the Saints' offense in the second half, scoring two quick baskets, and was followed by jumper from Dingus as SMU scored the first six points. NNU responded to reopen up a 22-point lead, before the Saints continued to chip away again. Dingus,
Saniah Simpson-Patu and Schultz all scored as the Saints went on a 10-1 run. However, the 51-38 score was the closest the Saints got the rest of the night.
After being held to only 10 points in the third quarter, Northwest Nazarene answered right back with a 17-point fourth quarter. Not only did their offense come back, the defense responded as well. The Saints went from 18 third quarter points to only five. NNU continued their tear through the GNAC with the 70-43 victory to start their road trip.
Away from Schultz's 12 points and Dingus' 10, Nilsson was next leading scorer with six points.
Rebekah Baugh came off the bench with five points and six rebounds, and
Bria Thames ended the night with four points and six boards.
For a team, Saint Martin's was 16-for-64 (25.0 percent) from the floor, 0-for-11 beyond the arc, and 11-for-16 (68.8 percent) at the free throw line. Northwest Nazarene outrebounded the Saints 51-33 and SMU collected five steals and four blocks.
Due to winter storm rolling through the Pacific Northwest, the Saints' next game, Saturday against Central Washington has been moved up to 2:00 p.m. Live stats and video of the game will be available on smusaints.com.
