Feb. 12, 2006

Final Stats

St. Louis - The Saint Louis Billikens used a decisive 16-2 run to close out the first half and ran past Rhode Island 72-59 in an Atlantic 10 Conference women's basketball game Sunday afternoon at the Bauman-Eberhardt Center. Senior Marquita McFarland paced four Billikens in double figures with 18 points and finished one rebound shy of a double-double.

Through the first 12 minutes of play, neither team managed more than a four-point lead. The Billikens struggled early from the field, converting only five-of-23 shots at one point. But the Billikens found their shooting touch during the final eight minutes play, putting together a game-changing 16-2 run to take a 10-point lead into halftime. Tyler McIlwraith and Heather King converted a bucket from a McFarland feed, and McFarland added two free throws. Diener stole the ball at midcourt and sprinted in for an easy layup. Three free throws gave the Billikens a 26-19 lead with 49 seconds left in the half. Capping the first-half surge was a Rachel Diener three-pointer with seven seconds left in the half. The Billiken defense was outstanding as they forced five straight URI turnovers and did not allow the Rams to score over the last six minutes of the half.

SLU outrebounded URI 26-15 in the first frame, including a 13-3 advantage on the offensive glass which the Billikens converted into nine second-chance points. Diener led the Billikens in the half with 10 points, and SLU forced the Rams into 16 turnovers.

Rhode Island managed consecutive three pointers in the early moments of the second half, but any momentum the Rams had was halted by two Cara Young buckets in less than five seconds. After a layup, Young stood tall defensively and stole the in-bound pass for a quick lay-in to stretch the Billiken lead back 10 points.

A traditional three-point play by Heather King moments later gave the Billikens an 11- point lead. Jackie Gilbert gave the Billikens a 17-point lead, their biggest of the game, with a jumper at 8:52 mark.

Rhode Island wouldn't cut its deficit to more than 10 points the rest of the way, as SLU shot a sizzling 63 percent in the second half to thwart any attempt of a Rhode Island comeback. The Rams shot 44 percent from the field but was plagued by 27 turnovers, tied for the most by a SLU opponent this season.

McIlwraith converted all 10 of her free throws on the way to 16 points, eight rebounds and a career-high six steals. Heather King was a rebound shy of a double-double with 16 points and nine boards. Diener pumped in 14 points for the Bills. The Billikens converted a season-high 23 free throws.

Safi Mojidi poured in a game high 21 points for Rhode Island, and Tanya Rhodes contributed 18.

The Billikens improve to 6-17 overall, 3-9 in the Atlantic 10. Rhode Island falls to 6-17, 3-9 in the A-10.

The Billikens will next be in action Fri., Feb. 17, when they play host to A-10 foe Dayton at the Bauman-Eberhardt Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.