Box Score

LACEY, Wash. — A slow start led to a long and disappointing night of playing catch-up for the Crusaders on the road on Saturday.

Celebrating "Senior Night," host St. Martin's came out inspired, jumping to a double-digit lead in the opening minutes and holding off a determined comeback attempt by the Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team, which fell 90-81 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

"Our play was inconsistent tonight. We competed and looked good in stretches," NNU head coach Scott Flemming said. "Defensively we would have great possessions and then turn around and miss an assignment only to give up easy shots."

Down 21-6 with just 8 minutes gone, the Crusaders (11-11 overall, 8-8 GNAC) fought to get back into the game as a Maurice Jones free throw capped a 21-6 NNU charge.

But as quickly as the Crusaders whittled away at the Saints lead, the hosts re-established their advantage, up 50-38 at the break.

That lead grew to 66-39 five minutes into the second half on a Cole Preston 3-point play, virtually icing the game with plenty of time still left on the clock.

"Our defense has been a strong point, but not the last few games," Flemming said. "Time to regroup."

NNU used the final 15 minutes to make a comeback attempt, closing to 85-73 down on a Kaileb Rodriguez layup, and to the final 90-81 margin after a Jones' 3-pointer.

Jones finished with game-highs of 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead NNU, which also got 21 points from Jayden Bezzant, 17 points from Bouna N'Diaye, and 10 points from Rodriguez.

The loss drops the Crusaders into a three-way tie for fourth place in the GNAC standings with four games left in the regular season, including the next two at home as NNU hosts Simon Fraser on Thursday then Western Washington on Saturday. Both games tip off at 7 p.m.