2/19/26

Saint Martin’s Saints 73, Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks 53

(Lacey, WA) After receiving no first-place votes from the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Saint Martin’s Saints Women’s Basketball team had a chance to tie Central Washington and Western Washington in the GNAC standings for first place, with Central Washington being upset by Western Oregon. The Saints were also looking for revenge on Northwest Nazarene, after an 83-73 road loss last month. In the Saints’ penultimate home game of the year, it was one of the biggest games Marcus Pavilion has hosted for the women’s squad.

Saint Martin’s hit the ground running, scoring the first six points of the game and the Saints didn’t look back. Saint Martin’s led 16-4 with three minutes left in the quarter after Avery Oaster had her fourth basket of the opening frame. Saint Martin’s kept it rolling by taking a 21-8 lead after the first. In the second quarter, Saint Martin’s and Northwest Nazarene each put up 17 points as the Saints led by double digits the entire quarter, and led 38-25 at the half. The Saints quickly jumped up to a 20-point lead with an early 7-0 run and held that margin for the quarter, taking a 60-39 lead after three. The Saints finished strong by keeping it a 20-point game and would win 73-53.

Avery Oaster had a career day, with career highs in points (30) and rebounds (16). Oaster set a program record with 15 made field goals in the contest, with a sensational 15-21 performance. She also added four blocks defensively, all in 34 minutes of work. Saint Martin’s never trailed and led for 39:29 of the 40 minutes of the game. The Saints dominated the glass, outrebounding Northwest Nazarene 44-26. Saint Martin’s had 44 points in the paint and shot 45% from the field.

Saint Martin’s improves to 16-8 on the season and 12-3 in GNAC action. The Saints are tied in the loss column for first place. Western Washington is also 12-3 in the GNAC, and with Central Washington falling to Western Oregon, the Wildcats drop to 13-3 in the GNAC. Saint Martin’s hosts Central Washington on Saturday for senior day, homecoming, and most importantly, a shot at getting one step closer to clinching the program’s first regular-season GNAC title.

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