LACEY, Wash. – Ever since the win at home against Western Washington, the Saints have been on a tear, and the streak continued on Thursday night against Montana State Billings with GNAC Championships seeding on the line.
 
Saint Martin's (14-11, 9-9 GNAC) and Montana State Billings (13-13, 8-9) entered the night separated by a half of a game. After SMU's 58-51 victory over the Yellowjackets, the two teams remain separated by a half of a game, but now Saint Martin's on top in the standings. Bria Thames once again delivered when the Saints needed her the most, leading the team with 17 points, and seven rebounds. Janealle Sutterlict dropped 14 points, and collected five rebounds, and five steals. The Saints also had big performances from the senior Makenna Schultz, and the freshman Emily Nelson off the bench with eight points each.
 
The Saints started off the game with offensive struggles, going 0-for-8 on shot attempts while MSUB scored seven straight points. Bria Thames broke the spell with two free throw shots, to kickstart a 7-2 run to tie up the game. SMU gained their first lead two possessions later, off a Sutterlict 3-pointer. The Yellowjackets quickly regained this; however, the Saints ended the quarter with a 16-13 advantage.
 
Schultz and Nelson knocked down baskets in the opening possessions of the second quarter, extending the lead to seven. The Yellowjackets managed to get within three, but a 7-0 run by the Saints built the lead to double-digits halfway through the quarter. The lead continued to hang around that mark until a last second 3-pointer by the Yellowjackets made it 34-27 at the break.
 
Saint Martin's continued to hold around the double-digit lead throughout the first five minutes of the quarter. However, their offense went cold in the final five, scoring only four points, and allowing the Yellowjackets to slowly trim the lead down to six, 46-40, entering the final frame of action.
 
Opening layups by Thames and Nelson helped regain the momentum inside the arena, and take back a ten point lead. The Yellowjackets managed to get the lead down to as little as five, but the Saints' defense stood tall down the stretch and secured the victory at the free throw line.
 
Saint Martin's as a team shot 21-for-54 (38.9 percent) from the floor, 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) beyond the arc, and 12-for-19 (63.2 percent) at the free throw line. SMU was outrebounded on the night 43-to-29, but collected nine assists on 13 turnovers, with 12 steals, and one block.
 
After a bye on Saturday, the Saints are at home for their last week of GNAC action. SMU starts the week facing off against Central Washington on February 27. Tip-off will be at 5:15 p.m. with live stats and video at smusaints.com.