Men’s basketball exits Scottrade
In its annual senior night, the Billiken men’s basketball team suffered a 70-50 loss to the St. Bonaventure Bonnies-a team that had 14-straight road losses before its win against Saint Louis University.
The game against the Bonnies on Saturday, March 1, was the last home game in the Scottrade Center, as the team will transition into its first season at the Chaifetz Arena beginning with the 2008-2009 season. Junior guard Kevin Lisch was the only Billiken player to reach double digits in scoring, finishing the game with 19 points. St. Bonaventure’s Tyler Relph posted a career-high 25 points, which included going 6-for-6 from 3-point land.
Because of the loss, the Billikens drop to 7-8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 16-13 overall. The team closes out its regular season at Duquesne on Saturday, March 8. The contest can be seen in the St. Louis area on CW11/KPLR-TV.
Softball drops two matches
The SLU softball team lost both its matches in the All-Missouri Cancer Tournament in Cape Girardeau, Mo., on Sunday, March 2. Missouri State defeated the Bills 13-7, and Southeast Missouri defeated them 7-3 to end the Bills’ run in the tournament. Junior Katie Johns was the only Billiken that made hits in both the game against Missouri State and the one against SEMO.
Next up for the Bills is the Saint Louis Billiken Classic tournament at home. The team will welcome Northern Illinois and Evansville at the Billiken Sports Center on campus to duke it out Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9.
Five track and field athletes honored
Five athletes on the SLU track and field team proved that they get the job done both on the track and in the classroom by landing spots on the Academic All-Conference Team. To make the team, athletes must post a 3.5 or better GPA while also competing in their collegiate sport. Senior Laura Coyer, juniors Matt Alexander, Austin Critchlow and Laura Hamilton and sophomore David Whelan all received the honor. The Billikens tied Massachusetts for the most student athletes honored from one institution, according to the A-10 Conference website.
“It is a testament to the kind of people they are. They are tremendous athletes, yet they also work hard to ensure they get the full college experience,” said Jon Bell, track and field head coach.
Lisch receives conference honors
Sophomore guard Theresa Lisch was been selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference third team by the A-10’s head women’s basketball coaches. Lisch averages 17.2 points per game and has 32 steals heading into the A-10 Championships.
“She is committed to being the absolute best student-athlete she can be, and the results are obvious,” said Shimmy Gray-Miller, head women’s basketball coach.
Two baseball games snowed out
Due to inclement weather, the SLU baseball team’s first two home games this year have been cancelled. The Bills cancelled games against Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, March 4, and Bradley on Wednesday, March 5.
This weekend, the team travels to Huntsville, Texas, for the Hillcrest Ford Bearkat Classic. The tourney, which is being hosted by Sam Houston State, will pit the Billikens against the host Bearkats tonight, University of Texas-Pan American on Saturday, March 8, and South Dakota State on Sunday, March 9. The Billikens enter the tournament 2-4 after winning one game in each three-game series with Belmont and Samford.
As a team, the Billikens are hitting .239 and score 3.8 runs per game. The pitching staff has a 6.00 ERA and has allowed opponents a .291 batting average.
