Late Fourth Quarter Push Comes Up Short For Saints' WBB - Playing each other for the second time in four days, the Saints' comeback attempt fell short, falling to Simon Fraser 66-61 on Tuesday night.
The Saints (10-7, 2-6 GNAC) offense struggled to get into a flow for a full 40 minutes. However, trailing by as many as 15 in the fourth quarter, the Saints were able to ignite the offense late in the fourth to cut the score to just three with 30 seconds left. Despite the momentum, Simon Fraser (7-10, 3-5) converted on a key possession, breaking the Saints' pressure, and sealed the victory. Claire Dingus nearly finished with a triple-double, going for 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven steals.
Heartbreaking Saints' Loss on Homecoming Night - Saint Martin's lost a nail-biter against Western Oregon in the last minute of play to hand the Saints a 49-47 loss on homecoming night.
Saint Martin’s (10-8, 2-7 GNAC) held the lead over from the first layup by Lauryn Morris all the way to the 38 second mark in the fourth quarter. The Saints relied on their strong defensive presence to contain Western Oregon but Saint Martin's offense couldn't keep up, only scoring five points in the final quarter to allow the Wolves to sneak away with a win. Claire Dingus made her presence felt on the game with an 18 point and 12 rebound double-double. Behind her, Morris was the only other double-digit scorer for the SMU with 14 points and six rebounds.
Saints' WBB Named GNAC Team of the Week - After easily sweeping through both Pacific and Simpson at home, the Saint Martin's women's basketball program was named the GNAC Team of the Week.
Dingus' Stellar Performances Lands Her GNAC Player of the Week - There was no stopping the All-American forward down in Oregon, as Claire Dingus hit two game-winning shots to lift the Saints to a perfect week, and Dingus was named the GNAC Player of the Week.
Dingus played in all three games for the Saints, leading Saint Martin's to a perfect 4-0 start on the 2021-22 campaign. During the week, Dingus averaged 22.3 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals, while shooting a stellar 58 percent from the field.
GNAC Announces Changes To Basketball Championships - The conference’s Management Council and CEO Board unanimously voted to expand this year’s tournament to all 10 men’s and women’s programs. The GNAC Championships will run from March 2 to 5.
To accommodate full fields in both genders, the first two rounds of games will be split between Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, and Seattle Pacific University. In total, six games – two play-in contests and four quarterfinals matchups – will be contested at SPU’s Royal Brougham Pavilion. The other 12 games, including the semifinals and championship games in both genders, will be played at Marcus Pavilion on the campus of Saint Martin’s, which was awarded tournament-hosting rights two years ago.
Claire Dingus Tabbed As GNAC Preseason All-Conference Selection - Another season is about to begin, and another award rolled in for Saint Martin's All-American Claire Dingus. The junior forward was unanimously selected for the 2021 GNAC Preseason All-Conference team.
Jessica Jones of Simon Fraser was voted the Preseason Player of the Year. Ten players were selected to the team unanimously with Western Washington leading the way with three.
Dingus, who was a 2021 WBCA All-American honorable mention last season, averaged 17.5 points per game, and 10.2 rebounds per game. She also led the team with 1.9 steals per game and was efficient from the floor. Dingus shot 55.9 percent from the field, and 45.8 from beyond the arc.
For Dingus, the preseason award joins her long list of accolades which include being a 2020 GNAC second team All-Conference, 2019-20 GNAC Preseason Unanimous All-Conference, the 2018-19 GNAC Freshman of the Year, and a three-time GNAC Player of the Week.
Saints ranked sixth in GNAC Preseason Poll - Led by 2020-21 WBCA All-American Claire Dingus, Saint Martin's women's basketball was voted sixth in the 2021-22 GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday afternoon.
Alaska Anchorage narrowly edged out Western Washington for the top spot, with the Seawolves collecting 92 points on seven first place votes. The Vikings garnered 89 points on two first place votes.
Northwest Nazarene, who received the final first place vote, finished third with 70 points. Simon Fraser (69 points), Central Washington (60) and Saint Martin's (48) made up the middle of the pack. Rounding out the polling was Montana State Billings (47), Seattle Pacific (43), Western Oregon (20), and Alaska (12).
There will be no secret as to whom the Saints will turn to during the season. Dingus, who was the program's first All-American since 1996 and first since the Saints joined the NCAA, averaged a double-double last season. Her 17.5 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 55.9 field goal percentage ranked the best on the team, and among the best in the GNAC. During the season, Dingus was named the GNAC Player of the Week three times.
But Dingus will have an experienced cast returning with her in 2021-22, with all five starters coming back. Point guard Tierney DeDonatis returns to fold with her second-best 11.1 points per game, and team-leading 41 assists. Rian Clear, who came on strong for the Saints down the stretch, was third in scoring at 8.0 points per game, along with 3.9 rebounds per contest.
Guards Janealle Sutterlict (6.2 points per game, 27 assists), and Lauryn Morris (5.7 points per game, 22-for-22 free throws) provide always needed depth and experience in the back court. Also returning is Maryn Budiman (2.5 points per game, 12 assists) played in all 13 games, making six starts last season.
Down low, Iternite Reed (3.8 points per game, 3.1 rebounds), and Emily Nelson (5.6 points per game, 3.1 rebounds) give the Saints depth, and the ability to play many different styles of defense.
Saint Martin's welcomes in two newcomers to the fold in Portland transfer Josie Matz, a 5-10 junior guard, and Chenoa Louie, a 5-11 freshman forward from Ephrata, Washington.
