ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis University women's basketball team defeated Missouri S&T 100-65 on Wednesday night in the Billikens' lone exhibition game of the season at Chaifetz Arena. 
 
Behind a 26-point performance from Peyton Kennedy to match her career high, SLU shot 50.6 percent from the field and went 17-21 from the charity stripe against the visiting Miners.
 
The Billikens got out to a quick start, going on a 14-0 run early in the first quarter. At the night's first media timeout, Kennedy had compiled 10 points to help boost the Billikens to a 16-3 lead. At the end of the opening period, SLU led, 30-16 with five buckets from behind the arc.
 
At the start of the second quarter, Kennedy and Kyla McMakin made early buckets to help the Billikens go up by 20 points. But the Billikens' 8-0 run was cut short courtesy of an 8-0 run from S&T. Mia Nicastro ended the visiting Miners' run, to put the Billikens up by 22 and SLU went into the break leading, 53-29.
 
Kennedy continued her strong start to the night to open the second half, increasing her point total to 17 on the night. Midway through the third quarter, McMakin turned a Miners' turnover into points, giving the Billikens a 63-41 lead, before doing it two more times to put the senior shooter up to 12 points at the end of the third quarter.
 
At the start of the fourth quarter, Chorus Davis cut the Billikens' lead to 80-52, but two made free throws by newcomer Brooklyn Gray, got the Billikens back up to a 30-point lead. 
 
SLU finished the game on a 14-2 run capped by an Ashleigh Connor jumper to close out the Billikens' 35-point win.
 
Julia Martinez was just two assists shy of a triple double in the victory, and was one of five Billikens reaching double-digit figures with Kennedy Calhoun, Kennedy, McMakin and Gray also accomplishing the feat.
 
Martinez led SLU's defensive efforts posting a game-high seven defensive boards and four steals while McMakin and Calhoun also recorded four steals apiece. 
 
The Billikens will be back in action to open their season on Thursday, Nov. 9, against Drake at Chaifetz Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.