ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University women's basketball (5-4) dropped a battle with Ball State (6-1) Sunday afternoon, falling to the Cardinals, 71-64 in Chaifetz Arena.

The Billikens recorded a season-high in turnovers in the loss, with 30 giveaways through 40 minutes of regulation.

Despite controlling the opening tip in Chaifetz Arena, the Billikens began the game forcing a turnover, resulting in points for Peyton Kennedy on the other end of the floor. Turnovers continued to define the opening quarter, with the teams combining for 13 through the opening 10 minutes of play. The Billikens ended the first quarter with a narrow 15-11 advantage, shooting 54 percent from the floor while holding the visiting Cardinals to 13-31 in the same category.

The Billikens eighth turnover of the day kicked off the second period, resulting in Ball State points, cutting the home team's lead to two points. The Cardinals converted the momentum into a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the day. The Billikens responded, putting together a 5-0 run of their own, sparked by two made buckets from Kyla McMakin. SLU ended the first half with a 37-34 lead making four of its final five shots while the Cardinals registered four-straight misses.

SLU's first points of the second half mimicked the first of the game, with Kennedy scoring in the paint off an assist from McMakin. The Billikens rode the momentum, scoring seven unanswered points to go up by 10. On the other end of the floor, the Cardinals ended SLU's run, grabbing an offensive board and scoring on the put back, prompting a four-minute scoring drought for the home team to gives the Cardinals back the lead off a three-pointer by Ally Becki. The team's traded scores but it was the Billikens with the narrow 52-51 advantage heading into the final period. 

SLU extended its lead to three to start the fourth quarter off a McMakin jumper, but the Cardinals sixth three of the day tied the game up at 54 apiece. From there, the visitors went on 7-0 run to help solidify their sixth win of the season. SLU cut the deficit down to one point with 3:25 remaining, but the Cardinals iced their win with four made free throws. 

McMakin's 22 points led the Billikens while Kennedy went 9-15 from the floor for 20 points while pulling down 11 rebounds and Kennedy Calhoun added a season-high 10 points. 

The Billikens will be back in action Wednesday night hosting Southern Indiana. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.