LACEY, Wash. — Four Central Washington University men's basketball players recorded double-digit scoring efforts, but Saint Martin's University captured a 70-66 victory.
Xavier Smith led the Wildcats' (14-7, 8-6 GNAC) offense with 15 points and six assists. Amari Stafford, Matt Poquette, and David Thompson scored 10 points each. Stafford recorded a team-high nine rebounds. The Saints' (17-7, 10-5 GNAC) Brett Reed recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
"I give our guys credit for battling back a couple times tonight," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said.
Five minutes into the contest, Central held a 6-0 lead. The Saints started 0-for-6 from the floor. After scoring their first bucket, the Saints put together a 19-6 run for a 19-12 lead. A 10-2 run from the 'Cats minutes later tied the contest at 22-22 and just under five minutes to play in the first half. A three from Stafford gave CWU a 33-32 lead in the final 95 second of the half. At the buzzer, Saint Martin's led 37-33.
A jumper from Smith tied the contest with just 5:27 remaining in regulation, 58-58. On the 'Cats next possession, Micah Pollard's layup made it 60-58. The Saints responded with a dunk from Mark Adams, before a three from Jaden Nielsen-Skinner gave SMU a 63-60 advantage.
Consecutive buckets from Smith and Poquette gave the Crimson and Black another slim lead, this time at 64-63. Saint Martin's knocked down a three before Nielsen-Skinner was sent to the line twice for four free throws. He knocked down all four, pushing SMU's lead to 70-64. A last-second jumper from Smith brought the Saints' lead to 70-66 as SMU held on for the victory.
The Saints recorded 10 offensive rebounds and tallied 15 second chance points. They held Central to just four offensive boards and two second chance points. In the second half, SMU held CWU to a sub-40 shooting percentage.
Marqus Gilson made his return to the lineup. He recorded four points and one assist in his first game back. Central's bench recorded 19 points and shot 64 percent from the floor.
"It was good to have Marqus and Mitch back on the court," Rinta added. "They aren't fully back in game shape, but gave us good minutes."
The Wildcats close the regular season with a pair of home contests. They open the week against Montana State Billings on Thursday (Feb. 24) at 7:30 p.m. Senior Night is slated for Saturday (Feb. 26) when the 'Cats welcome Seattle Pacific for a 6:15 p.m. start time.
