ELLENSBURG, WA — Saint Martin's Women's Basketball (14-10, 7-9 GNAC) traveled east to take on the Wildcats in their final road game of the regular season.

Central Washington would start the first period out with the lead, getting a few baskets in before Saint Martin's would get going on offense. Kiana Rios would get things rolling for the Saints with a layup and would go on to contribute eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists in a near-double-double. Jada Travis would chime in to help SMU claim its first lead of the game halfway through the first. Travis would lead the Saints in scoring with 14 points while grabbing six boards and recording four assists and would be helped in the paint by Sarah Lamet, who would score 12 and snag seven rebounds of her own. Avery Oaster would have a productive day in the paint alongside Lamet, scoring nine points and tying Rios's team-leading eight rebounds. As the first half continued, both teams would trade leads multiple times before the score would finally settle at halftime, with CWU holding just a one-point lead over SMU, 42-41.

The Saints would find good production from their bench throughout the second half. Mya Hatchett would have the second-most points on the team with 13, while Kasey Booster and Keeli Jade Smith would contribute eight points each during their time on the floor. SMU would score the half's opening points and hold on to the lead through the entirety of the third period, but Central Washington would find a response on offense in the final 10 minutes. CWU would go 8-12 (66.7%) from the field in the fourth, connecting on multiple scoring opportunities and counteracting what had been a balanced Saints attack, but SMU would battle until the end. Even so, the Wildcats would capitalize on opportunities from the free-throw line, and end up winning the game, 81-74.

SMU Women's Basketball will be back in action this week on Thursday, February 27th and Saturday, March 1st to close out the final home stretch before the postseason. You can get tickets for Warming Up With The Saints and game tickets for Saturday's Senior Day and Homecoming festivities here.