by By Courtney Misner, SMU
LACEY, Wash. – SMU senior Bria Thames continued her strong start to the 2019-20 season, leading the Saints to a 75-60 win over Texas A&M International to end non-conference play.
Thames put together another all-around game for the Saints, scoring her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Mallory Vivola and Claire Dingus also scored in double figures to combine for 32 points.
Vivola put the Saints in the lead at 12-9 with her third three-pointer at the 3:18 mark in the first quarter. Baskets from Dingus and Tierney DeDonatis proceeded to keep the Saints in the lead, ending the first quarter 20-14.
In the second quarter, the Dustdevils managed to tie it up 24-24 with 6:34 left. Both teams continued to trade baskets, but an and-one shot from Janealle Sutterlict (Yakama Nation) in the final minutes secured the lead at 36-32 to end the first half.
After an opening layup from the Dustdevils, SMU rattled off 12 straight points to begin the half. Eight of the 12 points came from Thames to give a 48-36 advantage for Saint Martin’s. Five different Saints continued to score for SMU to end the third quarter 56-49.
Heading into the final ten minutes of the game, the Saints continued to widen the gap, stretching the lead to as many as 16. The Saints iced the game at the free throw line, making all of their attempts, and coasted to a 75-60 victory.
Janealle Sutterlict ended the game with her first double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 11 assists. Dingus added 9 rebounds, nearly marking a second double-double of the season.
Saint Martin’s shot 28-for-63 (44.4 percent) from the field, 5-for-20 beyond the arc, and 14-for-19 (73.7 percent) at the free throw line. The Saints collected 35 rebounds, with 21 assists on 12 turnovers, along with 15 steals and two blocks.
SMU travels to Nampa, Idaho for their first game of GNAC play on Thursday, December 5. The game will be available with live stats and video on smusaints.com.
