After last weekend’s road games, the Saint Louis University women’s basketball can be glad they’re homeward bound.
The Billikens lost at Memphis, 71-58, on Friday and at Alabama-Birmingham, 87-71, on Sunday afternoon.
“We needed the best of what we had,” said coach Jill Pizzotti. “We just let too many points be scored.”
Memphis (11-11 overall and 4-7 in Conference USA) utilized its full court press to gain a 23-11 lead midway through the first half. Sophomore guard Star Jackson hit a trey to cut Memphis’ lead to nine points. The Tigers led by as many as 12 before SLU made a run just before halftime.
SLU scored seven straight points, capped off by a three from freshman guard Kirsti Holloway and a jumper by freshman forward Angie Lewis. The Billikens trailed 34-27 at halftime.
SLU charged out of the locker room and took a 37-35 lead on a trey by sophomore guard Harmonie King. That hoop capped a 9-2 run to open the half for SLU.
Memphis came back to take a narrow lead (46-42) with 12 minutes left. The game remained close until the final minutes. Memphis built its lead to 10 with just over a minute left and went on to win 71-58.
“We knew that they would come out and press. It caused a lot of problems for us,” Pizzotti said. “We were at half and April (McKinney) and Harmonie (King) were in foul trouble. They were physical and just outsized us.”
SLU then traveled to Alabama for a contest against UAB (15-8 and 7-5 in C-USA games).
The Billikens imposed their will early against the Blazers. Jackson was the offensive catalyst early, scoring 10 of SLU’s first 17 points.
The Billikens opened a 25-12 lead on a Holloway three midway through the half. But the Blazers cut into the lead quickly. The Billikens held a 37-34 lead at the half.
SLU maintained its slim lead through the opening minutes of the second half. But UAB was able to take the lead and pushed it to 10 with seven minutes left in the game.
The Blazers maintained that lead and won the contest 87-71.
“They went with a three post lineup,” Pizzotti said. “We had a ton of foul trouble. Lakia (Jones) and April (McKinney) had two early. They just threw big bodies at us.”
After last weekend, SLU is 14-9 overall and 5-7 in C-USA. The Billikens are third in the American Division and in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference.
The Billikens return home for their final homestand of the year, hoping to move to .500 in C-USA with victories over Louisville on Friday at 7 p.m. and Cincinnati on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Sunday is Senior Day. Seniors Bridget Beckmann, McKinney and Katie Battern will be honored prior to the contest with the Bearcats.
The Louisville Cardinals come to town at 17-1 overall and 12-1 in conference and are in first place in the American Division. They are currently riding a 10-game winning streak. SLU lost to the Cardinals, 71-67, at Freedom Hall on Jan. 21. Louisville is averaging 73.9 points a contest. Marju Sober leads the conference in three-pointers made and averages 15.5 points a game. Freshman Sara Nord pours 14.2 points a game and 7.8 assists a game.
“Louisville is in charge of the league,” said Pizzotti. “They’re playing well right now. We played them to a four-point game earlier. We need to bring everything we have.”
The Bearcats are 17-7 overall and 7-6 in C-USA and in second place in the American Division. They have won their last three contests. SLU lost to the Bearcats, 79-61, at Shoemaker Center. Valerie King leads Cincinnati with 14.7 points a game. The Bearcats average 69.5 points a game.
“It was a tough game on the road. We had to deal with nonbasketball things,” said Pizzotti. “April (McKinney) hurt her neck and then Melissa (Oliver) got hurt. They’re playing well and are making a run for third place (in the conference).”
