ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Bri Johns connected on four 3-pointers and Julia Martinez added 10 points, but Saint Louis fell 85-51 to Ball State Monday night at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind.
The Billikens moved to 3-9 on the year, while Ball State went to 6-2.
"I just thought we needed to have better intensity, focus, toughness, but that's our job as a staff to get our players in a place of feeling that," head coach Rebecca Tillett said. "We're the same team that upset Illinois State, but we didn't feel like that tonight or play like that tonight."
Ball State posted a 45-29 rebounding advantage, including 10 on the offensive glass.
"I think we went backwards in turnovers and rebounds today," Tillett said. "Those two spaces are critical in the games we're most successful in."
Johns tied a career high in treys for the second time in three games, going 4-8 from behind the arc. She finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
"Still not really satisfied until I can get those three-pointers and a win," Johns said. "It's good to hit threes, but if we can't all hit them as a team, it doesn't really matter."
Martinez finished with 10 points, three rebounds, three steals and three assists.
"I think [energy] needs to be a team effort," Martinez said. "I could have done better with talking more, communicating and having my teammates come along with me with energy. It's a collective responsibility.
"Nonconference is important, but the most important is conference," Martinez said. "Get these games out of the way and learn from them. A lot of learning."
Brooke Flowers recorded 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks. She's now just three points shy for 1,000 in her career.
BSU forced seven Billiken turnovers in the opening quarter, leading the Cardinals to a 22-14 edge.
A pair of 7-0 runs in the second quarter helped Ball State to a 19-10 advantage in the frame and gave the Cardinals a 41-24 lead at the half.
BSU outscored the Billikens 44-27 in the second half to come away with the 85-51 victory.
The Billikens return to action Thursday night against Wichita State at Chaifetz Arena.
