FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Saint Martin's tied with the Nanooks heading into the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold on as Alaska secured the victory in the final minutes.
After the lead changed six times for each team throughout the first three quarters, Saint Martin's (9-10, 4-8 GNAC) could not find an offensive rhythm to take the lead in the final quarter.
Bria Thames once again led the Saints, recording 32 points, passing her career-best which she had just surpassed Thursday night.
Claire Dingus followed Thames in scoring with 18 points, while adding 10 rebounds to lead the Saints defensively.
Alaska (7-14, 2-10 GNAC) opened up the game with 10 straight points just minutes in. Dingus started the Saints off with their first basket, and fueled a 10-0 run of their own to tie up the game. SMU took the lead which held for the rest of the quarter to make the score 17-15.
Both teams went back and forth for the first five minutes of the second quarter, with the Saints holding the lead throughout. Back-to-back threes for the Nanooks tied the game up at 27-27, and the score became tied two more times. The Nanooks scored just before the halftime buzzer to take a 34-32 lead at the break.
The third quarter was one of runs from both teams with the lead changing six times. After an opening layup from Thames, Alaska scored six straight points for their first run of the quarter. SMU responded back with seven unanswered points, followed by another UAF run. The Saints tied up the score 49-49 with a six point run, and the quarter ended with the seventh tie of the period at 51-51.
At the one-minute mark in the final quarter, UAF led 76-66. SMU chipped away at the lead starting with a 3-pointer from
Makenna Schultz, followed by a Thames layup. Despite the SMU's best attempts for a comeback, the Nanooks iced the game and took the home court victory 80-73.
Thames did the bulk of the offensive work, finishing with her career-best, and adding nine rebounds.
Tierney DeDonatis recorded seven points and three assists, while Schultz ended with five points and six rebounds.
Saint Martin's shot 25-for-60 (41.7 percent) from the floor, 5-for-20 beyond the arc, and 18-for-22 (81.8 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints grabbed 34 rebounds, 10 assists on 17 turnovers, along with six steals.
Saint Martin's returns home for two home games this coming week, starting with Simon Fraser on Thursday, February 6. Live stats and video of the game will be available at smusaints.com.
