SEATTLE – Bria Thames continued to build her resume for GNAC Player of the Year, scoring 20 points, and grabbing 15 rebounds in the Saints' dramatic 63-62 victory over Seattle Pacific on Tuesday night.
 
The reigning GNAC Player of the Week, and only four days removed from shattering the GNAC single game rebounding record, Thames delivered another standout performance. With her Saints (9-7, 4-5 GNAC) trailing by five in the fourth quarter, the senior led the 13-5 comeback run with 10 points, and the game-saving block. Tierney DeDonatis carried the Saints throughout the first three quarters, ending with a game-high 26 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
 
The first quarter saw no limitation of offense, as both sides nearly hit 20 points. DeDonatis provided the Saints with most of the baskets, scoring 13 of SMU's 18 points in the opening frame. Seattle Pacific (5-12, 3-6), who led throughout most of the quarter, carried a small 19-18 lead into the break.
 
Makenna Schultz opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Saints the lead. With SMU leading 25-22, the Falcons rattled off eight straight points to open up a five point edge. Saint Martin's responded right back, closing out the half with an 11-2 run, capping off with a DeDonatis 3-pointer to stretch the score to 36-32 entering halftime.
 
Saint Martin's went over four minutes in the third quarter without a field goal, while the Falcons opened with a 9-1 run to regain the lead. Claire Dingus broke the drought with a basket, and put SMU back within two. Dingus later tied the game at 45-45 as she led the offense with seven third quarter points. DeDonatis landed another 3-pointer to put SMU back up; however, a last second layup gave the Falcons a narrow 51-50 edge heading into the final ten minutes.
 
Seattle Pacific opened with two more baskets to stretch their lead to 55-50 before Thames took over the game. The senior dropped 10 of the Saints' 13 fourth quarter points, outscored the Falcons by three, and delivered the game-winning block.
 
Thames put the Saints back on top 63-62 with a pair of free throws with 1:26 left in the game. A pair of Falcons turnovers later, and Seattle Pacific had the final opportunity to win the game. In the final seconds, Kayla Brundidge had an open look at a layup, but was unable to connect, and collected her own miss. Brundidge's put back was then blocked by Thames, and the Saints closed out the game with a one point victory.
 
Saint Martin's shot 21-for-58 (36.2 percent) from the floor, 6-for-15 (40 percent) beyond the arc, and 15-for-20 (75 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints grabbed 32 rebounds, 11 assists on an equal amount of turnovers, along with four steals, and two blocks.
 
The Saints take their three-game win streak on the road to Montana to face the Yellowjackets of Montana State Billings on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PST. Live stats and video of the game will be available on smusaints.com.