LACEY, Wash. — The Saint Martin's Women's Basketball team was victorious over Western Washington 56-48 during Pack the Pav on Thursday, January 29.
The Saints established a lead in the first quarter that ultimately held through a closely-contested final three frames, with the Saints playing smothering defense and making key stops down the stretch. The win improved the Saints' record to 11-8 on the year and 7-3 in GNAC play.
The game saw a huge milestone for senior Kiana Rios, who scored her 1,000th career point for Saint Martin's.
How It Happened
First Quarter
- After the Vikings scored the first basket of the game, the Saints responded with an 11-0 run to go ahead 11-2 at the 2:18 mark -— the run included a jumper by Kiana Rios that brought her career scoring total to over 1,000 career points as a Saint.
- Saint Martin's limited Western Washington to 2-9 (22.2%) from the field and took a 13-6 advantage into the second quarter.
Second Quarter
- The Vikings opened the quarter on an 8-2 run to trim the Saints' lead to 15-14 with 7:49 on the clock.
- The second scoreline in the second quarter remained neck-and-neck, as Saint Martin's held a 19-18 lead at the three-minute mark.
- A three-pointer by Laiken Hill at the 2:41 mark put the Saints up 22-18.
- Kiana Rios followed up with a three-pointer with 46 seconds left in the half, giving the Saints a 25-18 lead at the halftime break. Rios led the Saints with 14 points in the first half.
Third Quarter
- Laiken Hill opened the second-half scoring with a three-pointer at the 9:22 mark, giving the Saints a 28-18 lead and stretching a 9-0 run into the second half.
- Saint Martin's took a 31-20 lead with 8:40 left in the quarter, before both teams went nearly five minutes without a made field goal — Jada Travis scored a layup, after which the Vikings hit a three-pointer and sent the Saints into the media timeout leading 34-23.
- The Vikings pushed back within single digits, before a layup by Kiana Rios at 2:36 put the Saints up 36-26. Jada Travis followed with a three-pointer that put Saint Martin's up 39-26 and prompted a Western Washington timeout.
- Western Washington hit two three-pointers to go on a 6-0 run, as Saint Martin's held a 39-32 lead heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter
- The fourth quarter got off to a slow offensive start, as the Saints held a 41-34 lead at the 7:56 mark, followed by over two minutes of scoreless basketball.
- Laiken Hill broke the drought with a three-pointer at the 5:37 mark, putting Saint Martin's up 44-34.
- The Saints held a 45-38 lead with three minutes remaining in regulation.
- The Vikings cut the Saints' lead to 49-44 with a three-pointer at the 1:42 mark.
- With 43.7 to go, the Saints held a 51-46 lead, before a pair of Jada Travis free-throws put Saint Martin's up 53-46.
- Saints Martin's closed the game out down the stretch, winning 56-48.
Top Performers
Team Stat of the Game
The Saints limited the Vikings to 18-60 (30%) from the field and forced 19 turnovers.
Up Next
The Saints will remain at home, hosting Simon Fraser at 3 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Marcus Pavilion.
