LACEY - Saint Martin's scored the first nine points of the game, built a 27-point lead in the first half and carried it through to a 77-44 non-conference women's basketball win Monday night over visiting Pacific Lutheran in Marcus Pavilion.

The Saints, who improved their season record to 6-2, took a 9-0 lead six minutes into the game before Shelly Kilcup hit a basket to put the Lutes on the board. PLU, 3-3 this season, pulled within four points at 11-7 before the Saints scored 14 unanswered points to take an 18-point lead with 8:43 remaining in the half. Their biggest first-half lead, 40-13, came on Chelsea Haskey's jumper with 4:11 left in the period.

Trailing 45-40 at the half, the Lutes never got closer than 23 points in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Ayla Mull, making her first start of the season, led the Lutes with nine rebounds, and she tied Kilcup for team-high scoring honors with eight points. Dara Zack and Roni Jo Mielke both scored 14 points to lead the Saints.

- PLU -