LACEY, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team fell to Saint Martin's Saturday night in its final road game of the regular season. SMU showed a dominant performance that outscored the Wildcats in the first half 41-29 to prove the difference, winning by 14 points.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (74), Saint Martin's (88)
• Records: CWU (14-13, 8-8 GNAC), SMU (21-5, 13-3 GNAC)
• Location: Marcus Pavilion (Lacey, Wash.)

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH BRANDON RINTA:

" We needed to be at our best tonight to beat Saint Martin's. They are a good team, and we let them get too comfortable offensively. We fought the whole game and had some good stretches. Just couldn't find a way to keep them off balance."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Saint Martin's didn't waste any time, shooting out of the gate to get to a 10-4 lead. Central responded with an 8-3 run to cut the lead to one point. The teams traded two points each before SMU hit another run, this time scoring 11 unanswered points to take a 26-14 lead with 8:24 left in the half.
• The Wildcats found ways to cut into the lead but everytime they found themselves close to the lead, the Saints responded with multi-point runs. SMU closed out the half with a 10-5 run to make it a 41-29 lead at the break.
• CWU opened the second half with a 7-3 run to cut the lead to single digits. However, Saint Martin's answered with five straight points to make it a 13-point game.
• Both sides scored evenly through the second half, but the Saints held a comfortable lead through the rest of the game, ultimately winning 88-74 off the first half scoring margin.
   

STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Bradley Swillie led CWU with 24 points, four rebounds, and two steals
• Jordan Clark was second in scoring with 23 points, while also recording five assists
• Chae Haynes recorded 14 points, four rebounds, and a steal.
• Garrett Marrs logged six points and five rebounds.
• Jamari Harris tallied four points, five rebounds, and a steal.
• CWU finished the game shooting 39.7 percent from the floor, 19.4 percent from three, and 75 percent from the free-throw line.
• Kaden Hansen led the Saints with 30 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
• SMU shot 53.3 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from three, and 72.7 percent at the free-throw line.
• Saint Martin's won the rebound battle 39-33.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• The Wildcats lead the all-time series 160-48.
• The Saints are on a two-game winning streak.
• CWU is 71-24 against SMU in Marcus Pavilion.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats return home to take on Western Washington on Thursday, Feb. 26. The rivalry game tips off from Nicholson Arena at 7:00 p.m.