by By Austin Byrnes, SMU communications
SEATTLE – Another massive scoring performance from Mallory Vivola off the bench lifted the Saints to their first 72-66 win of the 2021 season on Friday night.
Saint Martin’s (1-1) led from the opening basket all the way to the final buzzer against Seattle Pacific (1-1). Vivola connected on a career-high five 3-pointers to lead the Saints’ attach from the deep, finishing with team-best 19 points. Claire Dingus nearly added another double-double with 12 points, and nine rebounds. The Saints featured four double-digit scorers, and nine different players got into the scoring column.
The Saints found early offensive success against the Falcons’ defense, converting on 7-for-10 baskets in the first quarter. However, the Saints proved to be only thing that could stop themselves, committing six turnovers, breaking up their offensive flow. Despite this, Saint Martin’s held on to a one point lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, SMU tighten up the offense, giving up the ball only once, while scoring 19 points. The defense also started to find their flow, limiting Seattle Pacific to only 11 points in the quarter, and stretched their lead to 41-32 at halftime. Vivola led the way with 13 points, connecting on four 3-pointers. Dingus added six points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Neither side was able to get into an offensive rhythm in the third quarter, as both combined for 11-for-32 from the floor. Saint Martin’s only connected on three field goals in the quarter, including another 3-pointer from Vivola. The basket gave her a new career-high in made 3-pointers at five. The Saints entered the final ten minutes up 55-46.
The Saints’ lead topped out at 11 with just 1:41 left in the game after Janealle Sutterlict (Yakama Nation) threw up a buzzer beating 3-point bank shot. Just when it looked like the game was wrapped up, Seattle Pacific scored five straight points and cut the score down to six. Saint Martin’s iced the game at the free throw line, and held on for their first win of the 2021 season.
Saint Martin’s shot 22-for-52 (42.3 percent) from the floor, 11-for-21 (52.4 percent) beyond the arc, and 17-of-20 (85.0 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints grabbed 26 rebounds with 14 assists on 19 turnovers, along with 11 steals and three blocks. SMU bench combined for 31 points, and the starters amounted for 41 points.
