PHILADELPHIA – Julia Martinez scored a team-high 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Mia Nicastro collected 11 points and six boards in Saint Louis' 71-47 loss to Saint Joseph's Saturday afternoon.
 
Brooke Flowers had a game-high-tying nine rebounds and Briana Johns secured a season-high six caroms for the Billikens (5-13, 1-2 Atlantic 10). SLU outrebounded Saint Joseph's 43-41, including 16 offensive rebounds.
 
Saint Joseph's improved to 13-2, 3-0.
 
Nicastro scored seven early points to help stake Saint Louis to a 9-6 lead. Saint Joseph's went on top for good, 12-11, at the 1:07 mark and led 14-11 after one quarter.

"For me, continuing to be aggressive is important," Nicastro said. "I don't like to play like a freshman, so continuing to be aggressive on the offensive and defensive ends is important."

A bucket by Flowers and two free throws apiece by Camree Clegg and Kyla McMakin narrowed an eight-point Saint Joseph's lead to two, 21-19, with 5:45 left in the second quarter. But the Hawks outscored the Billikens 15-2 the rest of the frame to carry a 36-21 cushion into intermission, and the margin remained in double digits the rest of the way.

"I thought we came out with the right mindset, intensity and focus, and then when they made their first run, we never really responded," head coach Rebecca Tillett said. "We disrupted what they were trying to do but didn't maintain in that space as much as we needed to."
 
Despite the loss, Martinez likes the Billikens' approach to their game preparation.

"Our coaches are keeping their foot on the gas and motivating us every day," Martinez said. "We're also motivating each other as teammates, and that makes a big difference."

The Billikens host Rhode Island Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.