KINGSTON, R.I.
- Jacy Bradley
scored a career-high 28 points, and Saint Louis tied a school defensive record
in a 67-48 Atlantic 10 Conference victory over Rhode Island Sunday at the Ryan
Center.
The
Billikens snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 11-16 overall and
5-7 in the A-10. The 11 total wins and five conference victories surpass last
year's regular-season totals.
Also, the win was SLU's sixth on the road this season, marking the first time since the 1985-86 campaign that the Billikens have captured six road victories.
In
addition to scoring a season-high 67 points and posting its largest victory
margin this year, Saint Louis tied the school season record for holding
opponents to fewer than 50 points. Rhode Island is the 10th Billiken opponent
overall and fifth A-10 foe to fall short of the 50-point mark this season.
Bradley's
9-of-18 shooting performance included three 3-pointers. She posted season highs
in free throws made and attempted, going 7-of-8 from the stripe. It was the
senior guard's third output of more than 20 points this season.
Courtney Webb
scored 15 points, including a pair of treys that moved her into a tie for 10th
on SLU's career 3-pointers list (90). Webb also tallied season highs in free
throws made and attempted with a 5-of-6 effort from the line.
Mallory Eggert
scored 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting and collected seven rebounds, including
four on the offensive glass. Lorreal Jones' team-high eight rebounds also
included four offensive caroms, and Jenna Mueller
equaled her season high with six rebounds. Desirae Ball picked
up a game-high four assists.
Samantha
Tabakman led Rhode Island (6-21, 1-11 A-10) with 16 points. Brianna Thomas
scored 14 points, and Kerry Wallack grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
"I'm
very proud of our team's effort tonight," head coach Lisa Stone said.
"We played with a lot of energy, and our seniors took charge. Jacy, Courtney
and Mallory played very well and led the way."
After
Rhode Island jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, Saint Louis scored on five
straight possessions to take a 10-7 advantage. Jones sparked the run with an
offensive rebound and layup, followed by two Webb free throws. Bradley's
pull-up jumper put the Bills on top to stay, 6-5.
Webb
sank two more free throws, and an offensive rebound and layup by Eggert put SLU
in front 10-7.
Thomas
hit a jumper to cut the lead to one, but Saint Louis answered by scoring on
seven consecutive possessions in a 14-2 flurry.
Bradley
nailed a jumper from the right elbow, and Ball registered a fast-break bucket.
Eggert followed with a short bank shot, and two Bradley free throws made it
18-9 Billikens.
Eggert
added two layups, and Halee
Castleman collected an offensive rebound and scored to
expand the lead to 24-11.
The
Rams narrowed the gap to 10 points twice, but a Bradley 3-pointer and Webb's
baseline drive gave the Billikens a 31-16 cushion en route to a 32-20 halftime
lead.
Early in the
second half, two 3-pointers by Webb and another by Bradley helped SLU
build a 43-29 advantage. A 7-0 run allowed Rhode Island to slice the lead to
43-36, and after the teams twice traded baskets, it was 47-40 Saint Louis.
The
Rams couldn't take advantage of a Billiken turnover to draw closer, and SLU
embarked on an 11-2 spurt to take a firm grip on the game. Jones began the run
with a three-point play, and Bradley followed with a 10-foot jumper for a 52-40
lead.
Rhode
Island scored to make it a 10-point game, but the Bills drove home a dagger
with a five-point possession. Eggert made a layup, was fouled and missed the
free throw. SLU gathered the rebound, however, and Bradley's triple from the
right wing made it 57-42. Rhode Island drew no closer than 14 the rest of the
way.
Saint Louis hosts Dayton Thursday, Feb. 28, in the
Billikens' final home game of the season. Tip time at Chaifetz Arena is 7 p.m.