LACEY, WA — Saint Martin's Women's Basketball (8-3, 1-2 GNAC) dropped a close contest to the Simon Fraser Red Leafs last night in their first contest after the winter break.

Both teams would be off to a slower pace than they have been accustomed to all season, but the Saints would get their scoring efforts going with early points from Keeli Jade Smith and Jada Travis. Smith would open the game with a big bucket from beyond the three-point line and score seven points while contributing three boards, a block, and a steal throughout the game. Travis would continue her run of double-digit scoring this season with 11 points on the night while getting close to a triple-double with an additional eight rebounds and seven assists. Even with these efforts in the first half, the Saints would struggle to find consistent scoring, but would be able to keep their lead thanks to a stout defensive effort led by Avery Oaster, who would grab seven boards while also recording two blocks and two steals. The Saints would take a 12-8 lead at the end of the first period but would be outscored by the Red Leafs in the second, leading to a 27-26 scoreline at the half in favor of the Saints.

The second half would see both teams find more rhythm on the scoring front. The main offensive force for the Saints would come from Kiana Rios, who would tally her third-highest-scoring game of the season with 21 points. She would also record her second double-double in her 2024-25 campaign, adding 11 rebounds, four steals, and two blocks throughout the game. Madelyn Brown would also contribute three points, three rebounds, and three assists during the game as a starter, while Laiken Hill and Kasey Booster would chime in with a few baskets of their own. The Saints would be matched by a reinvigorated Simon Fraser offense, however, and would be out-shot by SFU from the field in the second half. Both teams would trade leads throughout the third and fourth periods, and the Saints would find themselves controlling the pace heading into the final four minutes of the game, but turnovers would prove to be costly down the stretch. Simon Fraser would capitalize on their final possession of the contest, taking a two-point lead with just four seconds left. A final shot attempt would be made by Travis, but it would fall just outside of the rim as the Red Leafs would claim the victory, 57-55.

The Saints will be back in action this Saturday, January 4th, at 3:00 PM against Western Washington. Saturday will also be SMU's first Warming Up With The Saints of the season, so get your tickets ahead of time to tailgate before the game!