Nov. 25, 2006

Saints Defeat Cold-Shooting Lutes

(Courtesy Western Washington Sports Information Office)

Game Statistics

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Pacific Lutheran shot just 22 percent from the field as Saint Martin’s University defeated the Lutes, 62-44, in final-day action Saturday at the 10th annual Western Washington University Lynda Goodrich Women’s Basketball Classic on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Saints never trailed in improving to 2-2 overall. Forward Sade Smith came off the bench to score 14 points and guard Necia Jerome added 13 for Saint Martin's.

Pacific Lutheran, ranked No.16 in the NCAA Division III preseason top 25, fell to 2-2 despite game-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds from forward Nikki Johnson.

Saint Martin’s took an 11-2 lead six minutes into the game and held a 29-11 advantage with 4:35 left in the half as Pacific Lutheran hit just three of its first 29 shots from the field. The Saints led by 11, 33-22, at halftime.

The Lutes pulled within eight, 38-30, on two free throws by forward Trish Buckingham with 15:37 left, but never got that close again. PLU made just 11-of-50 attempts from the field for the game, with Johnson having five of its 11 field goals. The Lutes missed all eight of their three-point shots and made just 22-of-38, or 58 percent, from the free throw line. PLU also turned the ball over 21 times.

Saint Martin’s shot just 33.9 percent (21-of-62) from the field, but did hit 5-of-12 (41.7 percent) on 3-pointers, and 15-of-16 (93.8 percent) free throws.

- PLU -