SEATTLE, WA- The Cougars opened play at the SPU Thanksgiving Classic on Friday with a matchup against Saint Martin's. After falling behind early, CCU rallied back to make it close heading to the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback in a 72-53 defeat. 

Dasiya Jones came out strong with back to back layups to give her team the 8-7 lead, but the Saints responded with a run to take a 7 point lead. Josie Grosdidier cut into the deficit with a jumper, and Elise Grosdidier converted a late three-point play to send the teams to the second quarter with SMU leading 29-17. 

Jones again came out strong, scoring five straight points to start the quarter, and a Maggie Phipps three made it just a six point lead. Phipps continued to get hot with another shot from downtown, and she closed the half with a jumper to make it 41-34 Saints heading to the break. 

Nicole Bowlin started the scoring in the second half with a three-pointer, and Victoria Perez converted a layup to keep CCU within 7. Presley Wheeler then hit a crucial three to keep her team close, and Phipps closed the quarter with a five-point flurry off a three and layup to take things to the final frame at 54-47 Saint Martin's. 

The Saints took over in the fourth quarter, turning up the pressure on defense and finding their rhythm on offense. Bowlin made a jumper to keep the deficit in single digits at 8, but from there SMU would go on a roll to go up by 21 and eventually pull away for the victory 72-53. 

Phipps paced the offense with 13 points followed by Jones with 11. Jones snagged 8 rebounds while Bowlin had 6 to go along with a team high 3 assists. 

The Cougars will take on host Seattle Pacific University on November 30 with tipoff in the Emerald City set for 4:15 p.m. MST.