Jan. 16, 2005

Final Stats

St. Louis - The Saint Louis Billikens shot a season-high 54.2 percent and posted an 80-71 victory over Tulane in Conference USA action on Sunday afternoon. The victory snapped a 13-game losing streak for the Billikens. After hitting half of their shots in the first half, the Billikens scorched the nets at a 59.1 percent clip in the second half, making 13-of-22 shots after intermission.

Tulane led 7-6 before the Billikens rattled off a 14-1 run to take a lead they would not relinquish. Marquita McFarland hit two free throws to start the run, and Heather King followed with a layup. McFarland completed a three-point play as SLU went up 13-7. After a Tulane free throw, Mia Johnson drained a 3-pointer, and King and Johnson converted fastbreak layups as the Billikens went up 20-8. Tulane slowly rallied and cut the lead to two at 23-21, but the Bills took a 32-27 lead at halftime.

The Billikens were up 34-29 when McFarland converted a transition basket. Hayley Leake sank two free throws. McFarland's driving layup boosted the Billikens' lead to 57-42 with nine minutes left. Tulane never cut the lead to single-digits until the final minute of the game.

Marquita McFarland scored a career-high 17 points and completed a double-double with 10 rebounds. Hayley Leake also recorded a career high with 11 points and had five assists. Lakethia Hampton recorded a double-double for Tulane with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Billikens were effective in getting the ball inside and attempted 34 free throws, making 22, both season highs. The Billikens made 26-of-48 shots for a season-best 54.2 field goal percentage.

The Billikens improve to 2-15 overall, 1-3 in Conference USA. Tulane falls to 8-9 overall, 0-4 in C-USA.