LACEY, Wash. – Careers came to a close in Saint Martin's loss to Northwest Nazarene, falling 71-52 in their last game of the 2019-20 season.  

It was a tight match all the way through with seven score ties and 11 lead changes, but a late fourth quarter run by Northwest Nazarene cost Saint Martin's the game and put an end to their best season since 2014. Turnovers fell for the Saints, 13 of which were in the final quarter and led to 10 points for the Nighthawks.

On the night, the Saints were led by senior Bria Thames who showcased another Player of the Year performance, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. This marks her 14th double-double on the season to end her career. Claire Dingus finished the night with 12 points, adding seven rebounds and one steal.

Both teams were neck and neck in the opening minutes of the game, with the lead switching six different times throughout the quarter. With the Saints up 6-5 five minutes in, NNU took a small four-point lead over the next three minutes. SMU responded with six straight points, but a NNU layup in the final minute tied up the game 14-14.

In the second quarter, both teams scored opening baskets to keep the score tied. Northwest Nazarene then proceeded to go on a 6-0 run to take the advantage 22-16. Over the next five minutes, the lead held around five. The Saints managed to come within one in the final minute, but the Nighthawks scored a last minute layup to put them up 30-27 by halftime.

Both teams scored in the opening possessions of the third quarter, with NNU holding the lead. Janealle Sutterlict and Thames each made game-tying baskets, and a Dingus free throw gave SMU a one-point lead at 35-34. After baskets fell for both teams to tie at 40-40, NNU went on an 8-0 run to grab a lead which they held to end the quarter 49-45. 

Tierney DeDonatis hit a three for the first basket of the final quarter, bringing the Saints back within one in the early goings. However, turnovers on the Saints turned out to be deadly in the final quarter, which transferred to 12 NNU points.

After a Thames basket at the 4:44 mark, the Saints were held scoreless for the finality of the game. Northwest Nazarene scored 14 points during this time, capitalizing off of eight SMU turnovers in the final five minutes.

Sutterlict finished the night with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists, while DeDonatis had seven points, two rebounds, and two assists. Seniors Jayla Russ and Megan Nilsson combined for five points and three assists.

Saint Martin's as a team shot 21-for-39 (53.8 percent) from the floor, 4-for-14 (28.6 percent) beyond the arc, and 6-for-11 (54.5 percent) at the free throw line. SMU collected 29 rebounds, and 11 eight assists on 33 turnovers, with four steals.

Saint Martin's wrapped up their season with a winning record of 14-13, the first in six years. They said farewell to six seniors, who were celebrated before the game for senior night.