Box Score BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Saint Martin's comeback efforts fell short in the GNAC championship as SMU lost 65-57.
 
Shakeem Alcindor (10) and Christian Haffner (10) were the only double digit scorers for the Saints. Alcindor also led the team in rebounds with eight. Hunter Sipe led the team in assists with three to go along with his nine points, four rebounds, one steal and a block. Tyke Thompson was active defensively with four steals and seven rebounds,
 
SMU came out with the lineup of Thompson, Sipe, Alcindor, Kyle Greeley and Branden Bunn. Bunn scored the opening basket and the Nighthawks responded with an early 11-0. run. The NNU offense was hot early connecting six of their first seven opening shots and with 11 minutes remaining in the half they held their largest lead of the half, 27-9, over SMU. The Saints weathered the storm and began to find their footing on both ends of the floor and relied on their depth and the strength of their bench players, Marcus Lenker and Champ Spencer to close the half with a 7-2 run to trim their deficit to 12, 37-25, heading into the locker room.
 
Saint Martin's opened the second half with a three pointer from Bunn. The two teams dug in their heels defensively and not much progress was made for the Saints until the 8:36 mark when Christian Haffner drained a three that was followed up by three consecutive baskets from Shakeem Alcindor to trim the deficit to 56-48 with just under six minutes remaining. The Nighthawks responded with baskets of their own to halt the run and Saints comeback efforts fell short as NNU won the game 65-57 and was crowned GNAC tournament champions.
 
The Saints will be tuned in on selection Sunday to see their fate for the Division Two NCAA National Tournament. The field will be revealed tomorrow at 8pm on the NCAA.org.