SPORTS: WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 

Saint Martin’s splits road games in Alaska

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The Saint Martin’s University’s women’s basketball team opened 2024-25 conference play with a split in Alaska, losing to six-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) champions University of Alaska Anchorage 78-58 on Dec. 5, and then drubbing University of Alaska Fairbanks 105-71 on Dec. 7.  

After missing last year’s conference playoffs, the Saints are ready for this season, with the return of reliable players like Keeli Jade Smith, wearing the red and white jersey for one last season as a graduate student, and Sarah Lamet, who was steady on the defensive end as a big. The Saints have also added promising freshman guard Jada Travis. 

The Saints then had a memorable preseason, losing only twice in a stretch of 11 games since early November, with the team earning plaudits as the GNAC team of the week after their dominant performance in the Seattle Pacific University Thanksgiving Tournament. Travis was recognized as player of the week after her stellar performance on the road in California just before Thanksgiving. 

On the back of the good preseason form, Saints coach Natalie Marlowe remains optimistic and confident, as she enters her second year coaching the team.

After the opening games in Alaska, the Saints will close out 2024 a nonconference road match against Washington State on Dec. 15 in Pullman before a final contest against Multnomah back home at Marcus Pavilion on Dec. 17.

GNAC play will resume on the Jan. 2, 2025, when the Saints host Simon Fraser. 

 Alaska Anchorage wins 78-58: A reality check as Saints lose to six-time champions 

The Saints opened conference play this season with an opening day 78-58 defeat to six-time GNAC champions Alaska Anchorage at Alaska Airlines Center on Dec. 5.

What could have been a close encounter in the opening quarter was spoiled by turnovers along with cold shooting from beyond the 3-point arc, finishing the game 2 oc 13 from long range. The Saints held an early 11-7 lead at the opening salvo, but a 14-2 run by the Seawolves swung the momentum to finish the opening quarter 21-13. 

The Saints did not recover until the finale, with the Seawolves stretching the lead to 55-30 in the third quarter. The Saints tried to cut into the lead in the final quarter, but the lead remained in double digits for the hosts.

Travis and Smith led the scoring for the Saints with 14 points each, while junior guard Kiana Ross led the Saints on boards with seven. The team shot 45.45% from the field.

The defeat extended the search for a win over the Seawolves, with the Saints last victory coming at home in January 2023.

 Saint Martin’s 105, Alaska Fairbanks 71: Saints return to winning ways after 34-point win 

After that opening game defeat, the Saints bounced back to stomp University of Alaska Fairbanks 105-71 at Alaska Airlines Gymnasium. 

The team's 105 points is a program record for the GNAC/NCAA Division II era of SMU women's basketball, which started in 2001. 

Four players from the Saints recorded double digits in points. The Saints were led by Travis, who scored 26 points to go along with seven rebounds, nine assists and seven steals. 

Junior guard Kiana Rios was second with 20 points and eight rebounds, while freshman guard Laiken Hill was also efficient with 16 points in 22 minutes. Sabrina Lopez added 11 points in 21 minutes, both off the bench. 

Since giving up the first basket of the game, the Saints retaliated with a three and didn't relinquish the lead for the remainder of the contest.

"We talked about how life is 10% what happens to you and 90% about how you respond. After Thursday, (Dec. 5) we responded the way we needed to. Everyone contributed today whether on the court or bringing the energy from the bench. When we play with purpose and confidence, we're a pretty good basketball team," said Marlowe on how her team bounced back after the opening night defeat. 

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