1/23/26
#11 Central Washington Wildcats 57, Saint Martin’s Saints 54
(Ellensburg, WA) The Saint Martin’s Saints Women’s Basketball team entered Thursday in solo second place in the GNAC, trailing Central Washington, which is ranked 11th in the most recent coaches poll. Central Washington has only one loss all season and is the last GNAC school undefeated in conference action, and the Saints were looking to change that.
Saint Martin’s led after the first quarter, 15-14, after beginning the game on a 6-0 run. The teams went back-and-forth in the second quarter, which saw Central Washington tie it up at the halftime break, 26-26. Saint Martin’s used smothering defense in the third quarter, forcing Central Washington to shoot 28.6% from the floor as the Saints outscored the Wildcats 14-10 to go up 40-36 going into the final frame. Central Washington saved their best quarter for last, putting up 21 in the fourth while Saint Martin’s had their second straight 14-point quarter. Saint Martin’s had some chances late to take the lead, but the Wildcats hung on for a 57-54 victory.
Saint Martin’s was led by Kiana Rios, who had 18 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Avery Oaster had 13 points, 11 rebounds, seven of them on the offensive glass, and three steals. Laiken Hill and Jada Travis each added eight points. The Saints were terrific from the free-throw line again, going 14-17 as a team. Saint Martin’s outscored Central Washington in the paint 28-20 and only allowed Asher Cai to reach double figures in scoring. Cai broke the school record for career points and is on the precipice of breaking the GNAC record for career points, held by former Montana State Billings Yellowjacket Alisha Breen, who is now an assistant coach for the Yellowjackets.
Saint Martin’s drops to 10-7 on the season and is 6-2 in the GNAC. The Saints stay in second place, but are now tied with Western Washington. Saint Martin’s finishes their three-game road trip by going to Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, who’s 5-3 in GNAC action, before hosting Western Washington next Thursday in a pivotal part of the schedule.
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