Saints Scorch the Nets in Beating Pacific Lutheran

LACEY - Saint Martin's shot 59 percent from the field while limiting Pacific Lutheran to 34 percent accuracy in taking a 69-52 victory in a non-conference men's basketball contest played Monday night in Marcus Pavilion.

The NCAA Division II Saints improved their season record to 5-6 and also got a measure of revenge against the Division III Lutes, who upset the Saints last season in Parkland. With the defeat, PLU is now 4-5 this season.

Roger O'Neill led the Saints with 17 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field, and Jeremy Green ended up with 16 points while shooting 8-for-12. Brok Pendleton had a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, including 11 on the defensive end of the floor.

The Saints showed their patience on offense in the opening period, turning the ball over just three times and shooting 65 percent from the field in building a 35-24 halftime lead. Green had 14 of his points at the break, shooting 7-for-9 from the field.

Pacific Lutheran got its deficit under 10 points at 39-30 about 2 1/2 minutes into the second half when Johnny Tveter went to the floor for a steal, passed to James Conti, who hit Drew Earnest to finish off a fast break.

The Saints replied with a clutch three-point basket by Roger Votaw the next time down the floor, and they gradually pulled away from the Lutes after that. The hosts led by as many as 20 points on a couple of occasions before settling for the 17-point win. Saint Martin's ended up shooting 32-for-54 from the field but got to the foul line only five times, making two of those.

Conti scored 13 points to lead PLU, but he was the only Lute player to hit double figures in scoring. He added five rebounds to his line. Cameron Schilling had seven rebounds and four assists for the Lutes, who were 20-for-59 from the field and 4-for-15 (27 percent) from three-point land.

- PLU -