SEATTLE – Saint Martin's shot the ball efficiently against the GNAC leader Seattle Pacific on Tuesday night. However, Seattle Pacific answered with a stronger performance to knock off the Saints 82-73 on Tuesday night.
 
Four different players reached double-digits in the scoring column, led by Alex Schumacher and his 21 points, 14 coming in the second half. Saint Martin's (5-19, 3-12 GNAC), rebounded after a slow start and nearly closed the gap in the second half behind Schumacher's and CJ Jennings 29 second half points. The Falcons (18-5, 14-1) found a way to weather the storm, and hold to their lead after a strong start.
 
The Saints opened the game by giving the ball to Marky Adams down low, as the big man scored the opening five points of the game. The Falcons scored their first basket at the 17:28 mark and never looked back.
 
SPU responded with 14 straight points until a 3-pointer by John Moore ended the run. Seattle Pacific continued to extend their lead in the first half, maxing out a 15 halfway through the half.
 
Schumacher came off the bench, along with Alex Clinton scoring from the outside to help the Saints regain some momentum. Saint Martin's cut the lead back down to single digits but the Falcons were able to stretch it back out to 14 before halftime.
 
The Saints regrouped at the break and came out on fire. Jennings knocked down a couple key baskets in the Saints' 10-3 to bring the game back within single digits.
 
Saint Martin's offense found their stroke from the floor through the first 10 minutes of the second half, shooting 67 percent from the floor, and beyond the arc. Despite the offensive explosion, Seattle Pacific managed to weather the storm and never allow the Saints closer than seven.
 
Seattle Pacific locked down on the defensive end down the stretch to secure the victory.
 
Schumacher led the way with 21 points, followed by Jennings with 20. Adams, and Clinton each finished with 12 points, while Moore added seven.
 
Saint Martin's as a team shot 26-for-57 (45.6 percent) from the field, 9-for-23 (39.1 percent) beyond the arc, and 14-for-16 (87.5 percent) at the line. SMU was outrebounded 31-to-25, and collected 10 assists on 12 turnovers, seven steals, and two blocks.
 
The Saints continue their four-game roadtrip with a stop at Montana State Billings on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with live stats and video available on smusaints.com.