ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis rode the hitting of Addy Brus and a strong defensive effort from a quartet of players to a 3-2 Atlantic 10 Conference victory over Duquesne Friday night at Chaifetz Pavilion.
 
The Billikens evened their overall record at 8-8 and improved to 3-1 in the A-10. Duquesne fell to 10-5, 1-2.
 
Brus delivered a match-high 22 of the Billikens' 55 kills. Kayla Jansen turned in a match-high and career-high-tying eight blocks, and Trinity Luckett was right behind with seven as SLU registered 15 rejections, its second-highest total of the season.
 
Carlie Rodgers led all players with 19 digs, and Chloe Maughan collected a career-high 12 digs. Rodgers added a match-high five service aces, most by a Billiken this season.
 
Addie Lyon posted a match-high 27 assists.
 
Saint Louis def. Duquesne 18-25, 25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 15-12
Set 1 – After Saint Louis scored to create the fourth tie of the set, 7-7, Duquesne began to gradually pull away. The Dukes built their lead to 10 points before settling for the final score.
 
Set 2 – Duquesne was on top 11-7 when SLU began to make its move, scoring four straight points to even the set. Five more ties followed before the Bills took command with a 4-0 spurt that gave them a 20-16 edge. Duquesne narrowed the lead to 22-20, but Saint Louis finished strong and evened the match.
 
Set 3 – Following five early ties, the Billikens caught fire with an 11-1 run that put them on top 16-6. The Dukes drew no closer than five points the rest of the way.
 
Set 4 – This time it was Duquesne who got on a roll, taking a 14-7 lead powered by a 10-3 flurry. SLU regrouped and made a charge, slashing the lead to a single point at 20-19 before the Dukes tallied five of the final six points.
 
Set 5 – After Saint Louis raced to a 6-2 advantage, Duquesne fought back to earn a 7-7 deadlock. The Bills' 4-0 run was answered by the Dukes' 4-1 run, leaving SLU with a 12-11 edge. The Billikens recorded the next two points to earn match point, which appropriately came on Brus' final kill of the evening.
 
Saint Louis and Duquesne meet again Saturday at 2 p.m.