Nov. 30, 2009

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ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis outscored Arkansas State 25-6 over the final 6:53 of the game and gutted out a 79-70 victory Monday night at Chaifetz Arena.

Five players scored in double figures for the Billikens, who evened their record at 3-3 with their second consecutive win. Katie Paganelli led all scorers with 19 points that included a 5-of-9 effort from beyond the arc, and Lauren Woods tallied 17 points, 12 in the second half. Amanda Kemezys scored 14 points and gathered a career-high 19 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end to tie her career best, and added a career- and game-high four steals. Kemezys' 19 rebounds, the most by an Atlantic 10 Conference player this season, were just two shy of tying the school record.

Saint Louis also received career highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds from Kathryn Hester, including 11 points and six boards after intermission, and a career-high 13 points from Jacy Bradley.

SLU earned a 51-45 advantage on the glass including a season-high 22 offensive boards that helped the Bills outscore Arkansas State (2-6) 24-7 in second-chance points. The Billikens also had more assists (15), led by Bradley's four, than turnovers (season-low 12) for a second consecutive game and third time this season.

The Red Wolves of the Sun Belt Conference were led by Ebonie Jefferson (18 points, six rebounds), Shania Hurst (13 points), Sherina Scott (10 points, seven rebounds), Lyndsay Schlup (15 rebounds) and Quinishia McDowell (five assists).

Saint Louis, playing its third game in four days, led 36-34 at halftime but saw Arkansas State gradually build a 64-54 advantage with 7:41 to play.

The Billikens didn't begin their game-ending flurry until almost a minute later, when Woods netted a fast-break layup. She followed with another fast-break bucket, and Hester turned an offensive rebound into a conventional 3-point play. Woods made another layup to slice the ASU margin to 64-63 with 5:30 left.

Hurst buried a tough jumper to momentarily slow the Bills' momentum, and ASU had a chance to expand their three-point edge following a SLU miss. But the Red Wolves missed three point-blank shots on their next possession, and Paganelli made them pay with a 3-pointer that knotted the score at 66-66 with 4:01 remaining.

After making a steal on Arkansas State's next possession, Paganelli misfired on a 3-point attempt for the lead. Hester pulled down the rebound, however, and found Paganelli open again, and this time the senior connected to give Saint Louis the lead for good, 69-66, with 3:16 left.

Kemezys scored for a 71-66 SLU lead at the 2:46 mark. Arkansas State had three chances to narrow the gap but committed a turnover and missed two shots. Paganelli's layup and two Bradley free throws gave the Bills a 75-66 cushion with 47 seconds to play.

The Billikens travel to Omaha, Neb., to take on Creighton Friday, Dec. 4. Tip time is 7:05 p.m.