The Saint Louis University women’s basketball team defeated East
Carolina University, 84-81, in the first overtime game of the
season for the Billikens for their second Conference USA win on
Friday. On Sunday the Billikens lost to Charlotte, 77-74.
Angie Lewis put in a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds to
help the Bills hold on to the lead.
“It felt like we had nothing to lose,” senior forward Stephanie
Solomon said. “Our conference play has not been great, but we gave
it our all. We were tired of losing.” The game stayed close
throughout the first half, with both teams shooting almost the same
percentage, SLU shooting 43.2 percent and ECU shooting 43.3
percent. SLU led at the half 40-32, thanks to 71 percent
three-point shooting, and making 75 percent of their free throws.
The second half was the exact opposite in shooting with ECU scoring
40 points and SLU only scoring 32. The improved shooting for ECU
gave SLU their first opportunity to prove themselves in an overtime
situation.
“We have practiced for this type of situation and during
halftime we even went over a play in case we went into overtime,”
Solomon said. “We all seemed excited to go into overtime. No one
seemed nervous, even though we knew it was an important conference
game.”
Lewis scored the first points of overtime, giving the Bills the
lead 74-72. The Pirates tied the game again with free throws but
the Bills gained the lead once more. With two minutes left to play,
ECU sank a long three to give them the lead for the first time in
overtime. Lakrisha Brown scored off an offensive rebound, to give
the lead back to the Bills.
With 20 seconds left and the Bills up by one, the Pirates looked
to take the lead and win the game with a long three. The shot fell
just short, and Brown grabbed the rebound. She was quickly fouled,
and with eight seconds left, she calmly sank both free throws to
secure the 84-81 win.
“We played with more heart, played together and communicated
better: We did all the things right that we had been lacking
before,” Solomon said.
Jana Haywood added 16 points, while Brown tied her career high
with 15. Kirsti Holloway added 10 points of her own and eight
assists.
The Bills looked to extend their winning streak to two on
Sunday, playing Charlotte. The Bills fell short, losing 77-74.
“We came out and played hard, even though we lost; we played for
all 40 minutes,” Solomon said.
trailing to the 49ers early on in the game. The Bills scored on the
first possession of the second half, but Charlotte sank nine
straight shots to take the lead down to one, in the first five
minutes of the half and did not relinquish the lead for the rest of
the game.
The Bills continued to stay close throughout the half and with
1:49 left in the game and the score 72-65, Shea Kenny sank a three
off a screen. With 51 seconds left Lewis made a lay up to put the
Bills within two, 72-70. Charlotte then scored on a short jumper
and put them back up by four. A lay up by Yanique Javois put the
Bills back within two. The 49ers scored again, and Kenny sank
another lay up to get SLU back within two. Charlotte then made only
one free throw, keeping the win within reach for the Bills. The
Bills quickly took the ball all the way down the court, and Lewis
shot a three that fell just short at the buzzer.
Jana Haywood scored 19 for the Bills. Kenny finished with her
first double-double, tallied a career-high 16 points and tied her
career-high with 10 assists. Lewis added 11 points while Javois
added 10 of her own.
The Bills play DePaul this weekend in Chicago. DePaul is tied
for the league lead and was ranked 15th last week in the polls.
Last year SLU beat DePaul in overtime. When the Blue Demons were
ranked.
“We are confident going into this weekend. Last year’s win also
helps us in our confidence and, that we know we are a good team,”
Solomon said. The Bills also travel to Milwaukee to play Marquette
on Sunday. This would be the first conference road win for the
Bills, if they pull it off.
