Henderson_Tavian
Ron Smith

Men's Basketball Media Guide - GNAC Championships

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Live Stats/Live Video – Live Stats and Live Video of all of SMU's Basketball games will be available with links found on smusaints.com. Live stats and video will be produced by the host school.
 
Social Media – Follow the Saints on Twitter (@SMUSaints_MBB) and follow SMU Athletics on Facebook (Saint Martin's Saints), Twitter (SMUAthletics), Instagram (saints_athletics) and YouTube (SMU Athletics).
 
Ticket Information – Tickets for all Saints' home games can now be purchased online at smusaints.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate of the event for eight dollars for adults, and seven for seniors, military, and six dollars for kids 8 and up. All kids under the age of 8 are free. Tickets can be purchased with cash, or debit and credit card.
 
Marcus Pavilion and TwinStar Court – All home Saints' basketball matches are played inside Marcus Pavilion, located on the campus of Saint Martin's. The Pavilion just celebrated its' 50th anniversary in 2017. The newly named TwinStar Court is located inside Marcus Pavilion.
 
Listen On Bryant and Clark Sports Connection - All Saint Martin's Men's Home games will be broadcasted on the Bryant and Clark Sports Connection with links to broadcast found on smusaints.com. Follow them on Facebook (The Bryant and Clark Sports Connection).
 
Saints Digital Network – The Saints Digital Network is your home all Saint Martin's Athletics. Live stats and video broadcast are available of every home game this season for free, and can be found on smusaints.com.
 
Saints' Potential Starting Lineup –
 
G          Luke Chavez                (13.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 apg)
G         Chandler Redix            (12.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg)
G          EJ Boyce                      (13.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.7 apg)
G         Rhett Baerlocher        (8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.2 spg)
F          Jordan Kitchen            (7.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
 
SMU Leaders –
 
Scoring                        Boyce (13.2), Chavez (13.2), Redix (12.0)
Rebounding                 Henderson (5.6), Baerlocher (5.6), Kitchen (5.4)
Assists                         Standley (3.2), Redix (2.6), Chavez (2.5)
Steals                           Standley (1.4), Chavez (1.2), Baerlocher (1.2)
Blocks                          Kitchen (1.0), Henderson (0.5), Mathews (0.4)
 
No. 10 Saints Score Season-High 97 In Victory Over NNU - Entering the game with more than seeding on the line for the GNAC Championships, the No. 10 Saints needed a win to keep pace atop the NCAA West Region Rankings. Facing the number one offense in the GNAC in Northwest Nazarene, the Saints dropped a season-high 97 points, with three different players scoring 20-points or more to clinch at least a share of the GNAC Regular Season Title.
 
The Saints were without their leading scorer EJ Boyce, but Luke Chavez, Chandler Redix and BJ Standley stepped up in his stead. The three guards combined for 64 points, with 26 coming from the free throw line alone. Northwest Nazarene opened up a 16 point lead in the first half, but the Saints responded with force on the offensive end. SMU proceeded to outscore NNU 62-33 over the next 22 minutes of action to storm back and clinch the monumental road victory.
 
Saints Clinch First Regular Season Championship With Double Overtime Win – Saint Martin's entered the game with Central Washington understanding that a win meant the first ever GNAC regular season championship in program history. Drama unfolded in Ellensburg, and it took herculean efforts from Luke Chavez and BJ Standley for the Saints to fight for a 105-96 double overtime victory to clinch the title.
 
Chavez, who continues to build upon one of the greatest careers in Saint Martin's basketball history, left it all out on the court. The senior finished with a career-high 33 points, with five 3-pointers made, five rebounds, and three assists, while playing most of the second half and all overtimes with four fouls. Standley played 46 of the 48 minutes, ending with nearly a career-high in points as well at 29, with five rebounds, and six assists. The win clinches the first ever GNAC regular title in program history, and the Saints will look to complete the sweep with their first ever GNAC Championships crown next weekend in Bellingham, Washington.
 
All-Conference Backcourt - Leading the All-Conference backcourt was back-to-back first team selection Chavez. The senior averaged 13.2 points per game over 26 games, while collecting 3.1 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per game. Chavez shot the ball effective all season, going 43.4 percent from the floor, 36.8 percent beyond the arc, and 86.4 percent at the line. He also caused havoc on the defensive end, recording 1.2 steals per game. The season came full circle for Chavez on the final week of the year, as he took home his second GNAC Player of the Week award. He led the Saints down the stretch with 28.0 ppg, including his career high 33 points versus Central Washington, along with 6.0 rpg, and 3.5 apg. In 19 games, Chavez reached double-figures in scoring, including a run of 12 in a row, and scored over 20 points five different times.
 
Boyce was named a Preseason All-Conference player back in November, and the senior guard lived up to the hype once again. Earning his second All-Conference bid in as many seasons, Boyce was tied for the lead in scoring at 13.2 ppg. Boyce ended the regular season with a shooting line of 42.0/37.2/82.9 while grabbing 2.0 rpg, and 1.7 apg. Boyce's career-high in points came in December as he dropped 28 points on Dixie State, including eight 3-pointers. He connected on 77 3-pointers, and led the team by 20. Boyce scored 10 or more points in 18 games, and eclipsed the 20-point mark four times. 
 
Rounding out the backcourt was transfer guard Redix, who made an immediate impact. The senior was third on the team in scoring at 12.0 ppg, with 3.3 rpg, and team's second best 2.6 apg mark. Redix proved to be an efficient scorer, compiling a 48.9 percentage from the floor, 39.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 73.0 percent at the line. His 25-point, nine rebound performance against Northwest Nazarene in December were both season-high marks. In 14 games, Redix scored in double-figures, including a stretch of 10 in 12 games in the early half of the season.
 
Nothing Gets Pass Kitchen - Kitchen has provided the Saints with one of most versatile defenders in the GNAC, affecting the Saints' defense in many different ways. On the year, Kitchen averaged 7.0 ppg, and 5.4 rpg, but it was his 1.1 steals per game and 1.0 blocks per game that highlighted his efforts. With his play on the defensive end of the floor, the Saints developed into only of the top defenses in the GNAC. Their 3-point defense ranks first at 31.9 percent, and SMU also ranks top three in scoring defense (68.1 ppg), field goal defense (43.4 percent), steals per game (7.5), and turnover margin (3.14). Kitchen recorded two or more blocks in six games, highlighted by four against Evergreen State. He also finished with two or more steals in nine games.
 
The Brains Behind The Operation - Alex Pribble, who led SMU to a 24-4 overall record, a 17-3 record in GNAC action, the school's first GNAC regular season title, and the number one overall seed in the GNAC Tournament, was named as the GNAC's Coach of the Year. The award marks the first for Pribble in his fourth season at SMU. Highlighting another incredible season for the Saints, has been their achievement of reaching the highest national ranking in school history. Currently the Saints are ranked 10th in the D2SIDA poll, eclipsing the mark of 13 back in 2009. Over the course of four seasons, Pribble has continuously improved the Saints' record, going from 15 to 17 to 25 and finally 24. His 81 wins is fifth all-time in program history, and his .675 winning percentage is top in school history. During his time at Saint Martin's, Pribble has coached one All-Region player, Chavez, one GNAC Newcomer of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, eight All-Conference selections, and 13 All-Academic selections.
 
Reaching New Heights - After an 8-1 start to the 2018-19 season, the Saints have achieved their highest ranking in program history, reaching 11th in the media. The Saints moved up from 15 to 11, eclipsing their No. 13 ranking back in 2009. It wouldn't be until the final week of the regular season when the Saints would pass the mark again, ranking 10th for the first time in school history. Entering the postseason, the Saints broke the record again, moving up to 8th in the media poll.
 
Luke Chavez Selected To Bevo Francis Top 100 Watchlist - The senior guard has played in 26 games this season, and is scoring 13.2 points per game. In 29 minutes of action, Chavez averages 3.1 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game. Chavez has been efficient on the offensive end of the floor, shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.4 percent at the line. Luke Chavez becomes the first ever Saint to be named to the Watchlist since it was created in 2015.
 
Saints Named GNAC Team of the Week - Coming off a week where the 13th-ranked Saints handled Seattle Pacific at home, before traveling to Billings, Montana to stage an epic comeback victory over the Yellowjackets, Saint Martin's was named the GNAC Team of the Week.
 
Chandler Redix Named GNAC Player of the Week - Redix, provided the 13th-ranked Saints a major spark both at home and on the road, averaging 20.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in two games. He began the week with a team-leading 24-point, six rebound performance over Seattle Pacific. He followed it up with a 16-point, three assist night in Billings, Montana. In both games, Redix shot a combined 13-for-18 (72.2 percent) from the field, and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc, all the meanwhile, only committing two turnovers in 60 minutes of action.
 
Luke Chavez Named GNAC Player of the Week - After leading the nationally-ranked Saints' basketball to two victories, Luke Chavez was named GNAC Players of the Week. The GNAC Preseason Player of the Year, after missing last week due to injuries, returned to the court in style. Chavez started the week off with a 15-point performance against Alaska Anchorage, in 26 minutes of action. He followed it up with a 25-point effort, including 17 in the second half, as the Saints overcame Alaska in overtime. For the week, Chavez averaged 20 points per game, and 4.5 rebounds per game. Chavez was honored again in the final week of the season. In the opener against Northwest Nazarene, Chavez ended with a team-high 23 points, along with seven rebounds and four assists. However, it was his efforts on Saturday in the double-overtime win over Central Washington that highlighted the week. Playing nearly 20 minutes of action with four fouls, Chavez scored a career-high 33 points, with five rebounds and three assists. Chavez hit the game-tying 3-pointer to send the game into its first overtime, and scored 13 of the Saints' 15 points in the final two minutes of regulation and first overtime period.
 
EJ Boyce Named GNAC Player of the Week - EJ Boyce connected on eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 28 points as Saint Martin's routed Dixie State 76-59. For his efforts, Boyce was named the GNAC Player of the Week on December 20. Boyce began the game by hitting five 3-pointers in the opening ten minutes to give the Saints a 30-10 lead. The onslaught from the outside continued as Boyce hit two more 3-pointers to close out a 23 point first half performance. He ended the night with 28 points, which broke his career-high and earned him his first GNAC Player of the Week award.
 
Leading The League In Threes – Saint Martin's has focused their offensive game around the 3-pointer all season, and with multiple weapons in the back court who can effectively hit from long range, SMU is once again near the top. For the season, the Saints are shooting 37.1  percent from beyond the arc. Their 10.6 3-pointers made per game, leads the conference, and is the only team in double-figures. It also places SMU 26th in all of the NCAA.
 
Can't Miss Tavian – After shooting an other-worldly 72.1 percent last season, Tavian Henderson continues to connect from the floor. In his sophomore campaign, Henderson leads the GNAC in field goal percentage once again, with a 67.4 percent clip. On the year, Henderson has had four perfect nights on the floor.
 
Swiping Saints – Saint Martin's continues to deliver havoc to the backcourts of their opponents. On the season, the Saints have a total of 210 steals, and their 7.5 steals per game is second best in the GNAC.
 
Standley, Cool As Ice From The Stripe – Standley has reached the foul line 76 times this season, and in those attempts, he has converted 68. His 88.3 free throw percentage is not only tops on the team, and second best in the GNAC, but also 32nd in the NCAA.
 
Top 20 In The Country – The Saints' winning percentage currently sits at 85.7 percent with their 24-4 overall record. Their winning percentage is tied for the 11th best in all of the NCAA.
 
Laundry List Of AwardsLuke Chavez was named to the D2CCA All-West Region, and NABC West Region team, along with the GNAC Newcomer of the Year, first team All-conference and was a three time GNAC Player of the Week last year. He was voted the 2018 GNAC Preseason Player of the Year to begin the 2018-19 campaign.
 
Setting Records – The Saints' 25 wins last year was most ever in the NCAA-era in program history... and the first time since the 1982-83 season (28).
 
Boyce All-ConferenceEJ Boyce was named honorable mention All-Conference last year after averaging over 11 points per game and shot almost 44% from beyond the arc.
 
Playing In The Spotlight – The Saints played in the first ever nationally televised game in school history. The GNAC Championship game was broadcast on ESPN 3. Their second nationally televised game came against BYU on the BYU.tv network.
 
Pack The Pavilion – Over 10,000 people attended SMU Basketball games last season... One of only four programs in the GNAC to reach the 10,000 mark.
 
Championship Time – The Saints reached their first ever GNAC Championship game in school history after Luke Chavez hit the buzzer beater over Western Washington in the semifinals.
 
Saints Go Dancing – SMU went to the big dance for the first time in program history... being selected as an at-large bid in the West region.
 
Advancing In The Tournament – Another first in school history, the Saints defeated Cal Poly Pomona, 66-58, to advance to the Round of 32.
 
Bring On The D-I's – Over the course of the last four seasons, the Saints have faced some of the premier D-I basketball programs to begin the years. During that stretch, SMU has traveled to Gonzaga, Washington, Washington State, and most recently BYU.
 
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