ST. LOUIS, Mo. — After facing a 27-point second half deficit, Saint Louis pulled back within two late in the fourth quarter, but Wichita State escaped with the 77-74 victory Thursday night at Chaifetz Arena.
Peyton Kennedy registered a career high with 25 points, while Julia Martinez recorded her third career double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, along with seven steals and six assists.
The Billikens went to 3-10 on the season. Wichita State improved to 8-1.
"Tremendous fight by our women in the second half," head coach Rebecca Tillett said. "Obviously we wish the outcome was different. Really thought that Julia, Kenn and Peyton set the tone in the third quarter that this isn't how the game was going to end for us. When you have players have that tough attitude and tough response, it's really powerful."
Kennedy finished with 25 points on a career-best nine field goals and tied her career mark with four treys.
"I have my teammates behind my back throughout it all," Kennedy said. "Hearing their voices in my head, like, 'shoot it, shoot it, shoot it. You can shoot. You've proved yourself in practice. Outside of practice, you're putting in work.' So, hearing that meant the talk and mentality really helps."
Kennedy Calhoun had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, and her defense helped lead to 15 Shocker turnovers in the second half.
"Defensively, we're all over the floor," Calhoun said. "When Julia gets those steals and we're applying that pressure, we feel great about ourselves. I think that just demanding your teammates to do that defensively is going to allow us to keep doing this to teams, forcing them to turn the ball over and putting the pressure on them."
Martinez's 20 points and seven steals tied career bests, while her 12 rebounds tied a season high. Her seven offensive boards and six assists were season bests.
Nicastro finished with eight points and six boards.
The Billikens shot 60 percent (18-30) in the second half. Martinez led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds and six steals in the final two quarters.
The Shockers forced eight turnovers and posted an 18-8 advantage on the board in the opening quarter to take a 21-11 lead and then outscored the Billikens 21-9 in the second frame to hold a 42-20 edge at the break.
After WSU took its largest lead of the contest at 56-29 with 6:11 left in the third quarter, the Billikens ended the period on a 16-6 run to cut the deficit to 17.
Mia Nicastro's second-chance bucket with seven seconds left in regulation capped a 29-point fourth quarter and pulled the Billikens back within two points at 76-74, but Wichita State converted on a free throw at the end and escaped with the three-point win.
Saint Louis returns to action at Memphis Dec. 17 for the Billikens' final road nonconference contest of the season.
