NAMPA, Idaho – The Nighthawks never found an answer for Claire Dingus, as the junior set a career-high in points with 28. However, Northwest Nazarene managed to stave off the Saints' comeback attempt and secure an 85-to-69 victory.
 
Dingus, fresh off a 25-point, 16-rebound, 5-assist performance on Friday, double-down and put up 28 points, and six rebounds. Saint Martin's (2-3) trimmed a 21-point lead for Northwest Nazarene (2-4) down to just seven in the fourth quarter, looking for an encore after their double-digit comeback the previous night. The Nighthawks responded with an 8-to-0 run to pull back out and cruise to the victory.
 
The Saints jumped out to an early 8-to-4 but the Nighthawks responded with an 18-to-8 run to end the first quarter, and take an eight point advantage into the break.
 
The lead grew to as many as 18 in the second quarter and the Nighthawks continued to find ways to answer back on each of the Saints' opportunities.
 
Saint Martin's opened the second half on an 8-to-3 but were met by the Nighthawks' 11-to-2 response. SMU found their offensive stride near the end of the third quarter, going into the early minutes of the fourth. Over a 5:25 minute stretch, the Saints' outscored the Nighthawks 26-to-12, and looked to be poised for another epic fourth quarter comeback.
 
Dingus led the way during the run, scoring 13 points, while Rian Clear added six points, and Tierney DeDonatis had five of her own. However, a five minute dry spell for the Saints' offense cost them as Northwest Nazarene pulled away and ended the game on an 11-to-4 run.
 
Saint Martin's shot 28-for-62 (45.2 percent) from the field, 5-for-24 (20.8 percent) beyond the arc, and 8-for-11 (72.7 percent) at the line. The Saints were outrebounded 38-to-32 on the boards, while collecting 19 assists on 23 turnovers, along with 10 steals.
 
The Saints come home to Marcus Pavilion for the first time in nearly a year, hosting Seattle Pacific on Thursday, February 4 at 6:00 PM. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com.