The Saint Louis University women’s basketball team proved something to itself when SLU played Gold Star last Friday night. Even though they are young and short-handed, the Billikens came back from an early 10-point deficit and went on to win their final exhibition match, 77-58.
SLU fell behind 10-0 four minutes into the game.
The Billikens were generating chances, but just couldn’t score. Christan Shelton finally took the lid off the hoop with a free throw five minutes into the game.
“We had a slow start, but were able to come back and take control of the game,” said head coach Jill Pizzotti.
SLU chiseled away at Gold Star’s lead throughout the first half. But it seemed that Gold Star had an answer for every SLU run.
The Billikens pulled to 21-15, but Gold Star hit a three and pushed the lead to nine with five minutes left in the first half.
One minute later, the Billikens had cut the lead to five when Bridget Beckmann hit a pair of layups.
But Gold Star pushed their lead back to 10 after Korena Sundell hit a jumper and a three.
SLU made a late run and trailed 34-30 at halftime.
The Billikens shot 31 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.
Gold Star shot 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc.
Beckmann paced SLU in the first half with nine points, and Angie Lewis added six points. Shelton and Lakia Jones led SLU with five rebounds each.
The Billikens came out with a purpose after intermission.
Beckmann scored to cut the lead to two. April McKinney hit a layup to tie the contest just one minute in. The game went back and forth the next four minutes before SLU began to pull away.
Angie Lewis scored after sealing off the Gold Star defender in the lane to give the Billikens a 44-39 lead.
The Billikens built their lead by shooting 83 percent (10-12) from the field in the first eight minutes of the second half.
Monica Steinhoff hit a three for Gold Star to cut SLU’s lead to 50-47 midway through the half.
The Billikens responded and built their lead to nine points with eight minutes left in the contest. McKinney hit a lay-in after getting good position on the right block. Star Jackson hit a jumper and Katie Battern hit a layup for the lead.
Gold Star tried to mount a comeback, but SLU kept finding a way to maintain its 10-point cushion.
The Billikens then built on their lead. Kirsti Holloway hit a three to give the Billikens a 65-52 lead with five minutes left.
SLU continued to cruise and ended the game with a 12-6 run for the 77-58 victory.
SLU shot 48 percent from the field on the game and 38 percent from behind the arc. They outrebounded Gold Star 45-36 and were strong on defense. The Billikens held Gold Star to 39 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from three-point range.
Beckmann was the Billikens leading scorer with 21 points and five boards. Shelton added 17 points and eight rebounds. Lewis added 10 points off the bench.
“This was a good game for us,” Pizzotti said. “Gold Star was a level higher than our first game (against NWBL). Their point guard, Yen Quach, was a good test for Star Jackson. We really improved from our first game.”
The Billikens open the regular season against Drake at the Bauman-Eberhardt Athletic Center Friday night at 7 p.m..
The Bulldogs finished last season 23-7 and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Drake returns four starters from last year’s squad.
“Drake will be a tough one, Pizzotti said.
“They’ve been to the postseason the last six years and to the NCAA Tournament the last five. It will be a big test for us early. They are a well-established program. We’re certainly happy to be at home. We have a chance to come out strong early.”
