ST. LOUIS – Behind a season-high 11 three-pointers, Saint Louis University women's basketball got back in the win column Wednesday night, racing to a 89-53 victory over Southern Indiana at Chaifetz Area.

The Billikens 11 makes from beyond the arc were not only a season high, but the most since the team went 8-20 against Chaminade on Nov. 18.

Despite its slow offensive start, which saw the teams shoot a combined 1-13 from the floor while clocking long scoring droughts, the Billikens quickly found their stride. An 11-0 run capped by threes from Julia Martinez and Mia Nicastro gave the Billikens a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second period saw the Billikens capitalize off their offensive momentum gained in the opening 10 minutes as Peyton Kennedy hit her first from beyond the arc early in the quarter. Kyla McMakin continued the scoring for the Billikens, hitting back-to-back shots to put them up by 10. Several defensive stops coupled with an 8-0 offensive run saw the home team go up 41-22 at the end of the first half. 

The Billikens continued its strong offensive play out of the locker room, going on a 9-0 run to start the third quarter highlighted by back-to-back scores from McMakin and Marcavia Shavers. At the end of the third quarter, the visiting Screaming Eagles used a 7-0 run to pull the score to 58-36, but back-to-back buckets from Nicastro, who scored a season-high 11 points on the night, boosted the Billikens lead back up to 26 points (62-36).

Taking a rare lead into the fourth quarter the Billikens used yet another 8-0 run highlighted by two-straight threes from McMakin to go up 74-41. SLU continued to keep its foot on the gas during the remainder of the game, shooting 50 percent from the floor in the fourth quarter, defeating USI by 36 points, its second largest margin of victory in a game this season.

Five Billikens reached double figures in the win, with McMakin leading the team with a season-high 27 points off a season-high six made three-pointers, just one shy of matching her career high in the category.

In her first game back in four contests, Martinez registered 10 points, seven assists and four steals, all while pulling down nine boards. Simon led the team's rebounding efforts, with 11 in only 18 minutes of action. 

The Billikens travel to Southern Illinois Saturday afternoon to begin a three-game road stand to conclude non-conference play. Tip-off against the Salukis is set for 4 p.m. in Carbondale, Ill.