A 4-2 start. Losing almost half your team to injuries. Defeating No. 20-ranked Tulane. For many teams, that would be a full season. For the Saint Louis University women’s basketball team, that was Christmas break.
The Billikens capped-off break with a 57-56 win over nationally-ranked Tulane at the Bauman-Eberhardt Athletic Center last Sunday. SLU’s last win over a ranked opponent came in January of 1999. The win moved SLU into fourth place in Conference USA with a 2-1 record and a 9-7 record overall.
The game also marked the first time since late November that the Billikens were at full-strength. Christan Shelton, LaKia Jones, Kirsti Holloway, Shanda Greer, Harmonie King and Stephanie Solomon all missed time with a broken third metatarsal (a bone in their middle toes) in their left feet. The injuries forced these Billikens to miss eight games.
Even though Tulane led 16-13 midway through the first half, the Green Wave had committed 11 turnovers. The Billikens’ strong defense kept the game close, and the Billikens trailed 27-25 at halftime. Junior point guard Star Jackson led the Billikens with seven points. Sophomore forward Angie Lewis led the Bills on the boards with six rebounds. The Green Wave shot 46 percent from the field, but SLU’s trapping pressure defense forced Tulane to commit 14 turnovers in the half.
SLU came out of the locker room hot and went on a 9-2 run to lead 34-29. Neither team was able to break the game open as the teams continued to trade baskets. SLU held the Green Wave scoreless in the final two minutes.
Lewis’ free throw gave SLU a 57-56 lead at 2:06. After alternating possessions, Tulane had a chance to win as it brought the ball up with 17 seconds. Guard Kelly Nadeau missed a long jumper that caromed off to the left with seven seconds left.
The rebound was never controlled, and a scrum ensued under Tulane’s basket. Tulane forward Gwen Slaughter fought with Lewis and forward Jana Haywood. Lewis finally secured the rebound with two seconds and found Jackson, who ran out the clock.
Haywood and sophomore guard Kirsti Holloway led the Billikens with 12 points a piece and Lewis added 11 points. SLU’s strong defense forced 27 Tulane turnovers and converted them into 16 points.
“That was a big win. You just hope that your kids understand the level that they can compete at. We don’t have many games against ranked teams. We have to see how we respond. We want to see what this win is going to lead to,” said coach Jill Pizzotti. “There were so many big plays today. The kids did a great job of executing the game plan.”
“Even though Melissa Oliver finished 2-2, she was big defensively in the game. With her intensity level on the defensive end of the floor-you wish that stat sheets could show that.”
The Billikens had defeated Southern Miss two days earlier for the first C-USA win. Southern Miss opened a 19-12 lead early. But SLU capitalized on an 8-0 run with five minutes left in the first half to grab a 25-24 lead. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the half as SLU led 35-34 at the intermission.
SLU’s defense played a prominent role again, allowing the Billikens to gradually pull away from Southern Miss and win 64-54. The Lady Eagles committed 30 turnovers. Lewis led the Billikens with 18 points and seven boards. Jackson added 11 points and six assists.
For her efforts against the Green Wave and the Lady Eagles, Lewis was named Conference USA Co-Player of the Week.
The Billikens opened C-USA play against Memphis on Jan. 6. The Tigers capitalized on their height advantage inside and on the offensive boards to build a 30-19 lead with four minutes left in the first half. SLU cut into the lead, but still trailed 32-28 at the intermission.
SLU went on an 8-0 run and tied the tilt at 47 with five minutes left. Memphis went on an 11-2 run to win 64-55.
“It was a tremendous effort. We emphasized rebounding in practice. But that’s what got us early,” Pizzotti said.
Austin Peay posed the final non-conference challenge for SLU on Jan. 2. The Lady Govs defeated SLU 78-61 in Clarksville, Tenn.
The Billikens had advanced to the finals of the University of Montana Tournament in Missoula, Mont., and faced host Montana on Dec. 29. Jana Haywood scored a career-high 24 points, but the Lady Griz won 73-56.
Montana went on a 13-1 run and took an 18-6 lead. SLU then employed a zone that frustrated Montana and SLU went on a 10-2 run of its own. Montana led 31-20 at half. The Lady Griz pulled away after the intermission and led by as many as 26.
SLU advanced to the finals of the tournament with a 55-45 win over Idaho in the first round. Junior forward Amie Van Deurzen notched career highs with 17 points and 13 boards. SLU’s defense held the Vandals to two points in the first nine minutes. The Billikens led 26-16 at the half. The 16 points allowed was the second-lowest total the Billikens had given up this season. Lewis posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
For their efforts in the tournament, Haywood and Lewis were named to the All-Tournament team.
Before the tournament, the Billikens defeated the Kansas Jayhawks on Dec. 22. Despite shooting 1-8 to open the game, the Billikens ended the first half shooting 47 percent from the field and led 35-22.
Four Billikens posted double-figures in scoring. Lewis led SLU with 18 points and nine rebounds. Van Deurzen and junior guard Greta Bujaker each added 14 points, and freshman guard Laniya Stevens scored 11 points. SLU forced 17 turnovers and scored 19 points off the turnovers.
“That was a tremendous, gutsy performance. Our ladies played extremely hard,” Pizzotti said. “That was one of the more enjoyable games for me as a coach. It was fun to watch our kids play that hard. We’re truly earning our wins.”
That win came on the heels of a 61-43 thrashing of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Four Billikens scored in double figures. Haywood led SLU with 21 points and eight rebounds, Jackson added 12 points and Lewis and Van Deurzen both scored 11.
Before a 73-51 loss at Drake, the Billikens faced intrastate rival Missouri on Dec. 7. The Tigers pulled away as the first half ended and led by 31-19. The Billikens cut the Tigers lead to 50-44 but could never close the gap. Mizzou weathered a late run and won 64-53.
“We all knew that Mizzou was a tough team,” Pizzotti said. “We wanted to hold down Kerensa Barr’s touches. Mizzou did a great job in transition.”
The Billikens continue C-USA play on the road with games at Marquette on Jan. 18 and at DePaul on Jan. 20.
“DePaul is playing the best basketball in the conference right now,” Pizzotti said. “They have one of the best players in Lenae Williams. I’ll guarantee that she’s one of the best three-point shooters in the country.”
“Marquette is always a tough team,” Pizzotti said. “We’re tied with them at 2-1. We’ve never won there. We’re starting to feel we can be competitive.
