BILLINGS, Mont. — The Saint Martin's Women's Basketball team was victorious 68-47 at Montana State Billings on Thursday, February 5.

After a high-scoring 17-17 first quarter, the Saints took control of the game in the following three quarters and ran off with a double-digit win, the team's third straight victory and ninth GNAC win of the season — the Saints are now tied for the second most GNAC wins in a season in program history with six regular season contests remaining.

Tonight's victory improved the team's record to 13-8 overall and 9-3 in conference play.

How It Happened
First Quarter

• The first quarter was high-scoring for both teams, as Saint Martin's and Montana State Billings ended the first frame tied 17-17. The Yellowjackets shot 43.8%, while the Saints shot a stellar 55.6% and went 4-4 at the free-throw line.
• Billings led 8-2 off the initial jump, before the Saints responded with a 9-0 run capped off with a Laiken Hill three-pointer at the 4:34 mark to put the Saints up 11-8.
• After the Yellowjackets tied the game at 11-11, neither team led by more than two for the rest of the first quarter, which ended tied at 17-17.

• The Saints played stifling defense in the second quarter, limiting the Yellowjackets to 2-15 (13.3%).
• After a slow offensive start by both teams, a 7-0 run put the Saints up 27-19 with 4:25 left in the first half.
• The Saints shot 33.3% and hit two three-pointers in the second quarter, building a  30-23 lead at halftime.

Third Quarter

• The Saints once again held a steady advantage in the third quarter, out-scoring MSU Billings 17-9. Saint Martin's limited the Yellowjackets to 3-13 (23.1%) shooting.
• Saint Martin's took its first double-digit lead of the game with 7:44 on the clock, as Kiana Rios drilled a three-pointer off a Laiken Hill assist (35-23, Saints).
• The Yellowjackets came back within eight, but the Saints continued to pull away, as an Avery Oaster jumper with 1:32 on the clock put the Saints up 45-29.
• Two late free-throws by Laiken Hill gave Saint Martin's a 47-32 lead heading into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter

• Despite an uptick in the Yellowjackets' shooting percentage in the fourth quarter (54.5%), the Saints also shot well (52.9%) and pulled away to win by 21.
• Midway through the quarter, the Saints went on a 9-0 run that gave Saint Martin's a comfortable 56-34 lead with 4:58 left in regulation.
• The Saints out rebounded the Yellowjackets 8-4 in the final frame and ran off with a 68-47 victory.

Top Performers

• Avery Oaster led the Saints with 18 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. The performance is her third double-double of the season. She added two steals, two assists, and one block.
• Jada Travis totaled 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. The game marked her second double-double of the season.
• Kiana Rios finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Team Stat of the Game
The Saints limited the Yellowjackets to 32.7% shooting from the field, the eighth time this year the team has limited its opponent to under 35% from the field.

Up Next
The Saints will stay on the road, facing Seattle Pacific at 2 p.m. on Feb. 7.