BILLINGS, Mont. – The big three of Saint Martin's,
Claire Dingus,
Bria Thames, and
Tierney DeDonatis, combined for 52 of the Saints' 64 points in SMU's 72-64 loss to Montana State Billings on Saturday night.
Despite the efforts of the three, who on top of their 52 points, collected 29 rebounds. Dingus, and Thames each ended the night with double-doubles, with Dingus coming in at 21 points, 14 rebounds, and Thames at 13 points, and 12 rebounds. DeDonatis added 18 points, with three rebounds, and five assists. Montana State Billings managed to stem the tide with behind Jeanann Lemelin's 30 points, highlighted by her eight 3-pointers.
The Yellowjackets controlled the game in the early goings until the Saints responded with 9-0 run in the final minutes of the quarter. Saint Martin's carried a 16-13 lead into the first break.
The lead hovered around three to five points throughout most of the second quarter. Each time the Saints looked to be able to break open a sizable lead, Montana State Billings managed to respond right back. Saint Martin's hung onto their lead, and took a 25-22 edge into halftime.
After a defensive first half, the offense began to connect for both sides in the third quarter. The Yellowjackets found their stroke from outside the arc, connecting for five 3-pointers. They used that firepower to outscore Saint Martin's 25-to-17, and regain a 47-42 lead into the final frame of action.
The Yellowjackets continued to apply pressure on the Saints in the opening possessions, stretching their out to double-digits. Saint Martin's began chipping away at the lead throughout the quarter, getting to within three with 2:35 left to go. However, the Yellowjackets iced the game with a couple clutch 3-pointers, and at the free throw line to win the critical GNAC matchup 72-64.
Saint Martin's shot 23-for-56 (41.1 percent) from the floor, 5-for-19 (26.3 percent) beyond the arc, and 13-for-19 (68.4 percent) at the free throw line. SMU outrebounded the Yellowjackets 39-to-32, along with 10 assists on 15 turnovers, three steals, and two blocks.
The Saints continue their road trip, traveling to the state of Alaska for two more GNAC games. SMU begins with Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, January 30 at 6:15 p.m. Live stats and video of the game will be available on smusaints.com.
