LACEY, Wash. – After a tightly-contested first half, the Saints featured six double-digit scorers as they pulled away from UAF, 87-74, to give them their first conference win of the season.
Coming off their home loss, Saint Martin's (5-3, 1-1 GNAC) looked to right the ship with their match against the Nanooks (3-5, 0-2 GNAC). After a slow start in the first half, SMU shot 58% from the field and 46% from deep to give them their first home win.
Marky Adams led the way for the Saints with 16 points and 10 rebounds to give him his first double-double of the season.
The tale of the first half was turnovers and poor shooting, as the Saints had nine turnovers and shot 15% from deep. Despite this, SMU held their ground and never let UAF get a run going to keep the game all tied up, 30-30 going into the break.
Alex Schumacher started the scoring off for SMU in the second half with a three pointer. UAF managed to breakaway with a series of free-throws to put them up 44-39, with 15:30 left to play.
Christian Haffner came off the bench hot and ready, scoring timely three-pointers to put Saint Martin's up 60-54 with a little over 10 minutes left to play. Jaden Nielson-Skinner found Adams wide open under the basket for a layup that kicked the SMU offense into a 16-4 run that lasted until just under the four minute mark.
The Saints kept their lead and held the Nanook offense at bay to coast to a 87-74 win.
Saint Martin's will be back at home this Wednesday, December 8th facing Pugent Sound at 7 PM.
A Look Into The Numbers:
- Schumacher tied the team-high with 16 points and 7 rebounds
- Neilson Skinner had a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists
- Brett Reed led the team in rebounds with 11 to complement his four points
- Tike Thompson had 10 points and led the team in blocks with four
- Haffner shot 50% from deep and had 14 points
