ST. LOUIS – Behind 50 percent shooting from the floor, Saint Louis University women's basketball won its second-straight game here Wednesday night, defeating Loyola Chicago, 77-68.

The victory marks the Billikens' 11th overall and sixth in Atlantic 10 conference play, moving their records to 11-15 and 6-7 on the year. 

Though giving up the first points of the Valentine's Day contest, Peyton Kennedy, coming off a 31-point performance, drained a three to give the Billikens the lead two minutes into the contest against the Ramblers. Loyola answered, scoring four straight in the paint to go up 6-5. Before Brooklyn Gray and Camreé Clegg responded with a three-point baskets to give the Billikens back the 13-10 lead at the end of the first period.

The Billikens poured on the scoring in the ensuing 10-minute period as Clegg's back-to-back three pointers sparked an 11-0 run giving SLU a 14-point advantage. Broken up by a jumper by the visitors, Gray hit her second three of the night to further the Billikens' lead to 30-16. The Billikens used five makes from the free throw line to give them a 40-21 lead while holding the Ramblers' scoreless for the final three minutes of the first half.

After shooting 53 percent from the floor in the opening half, the Billikens offensive production faltered in the third quarter while on the other side of the court, the Ramblers went 8-15 from the floor out of the locker room. Still SLU, turning four turnovers into nine points, kept the Ramblers at bay and took a 59-44 lead into the final quarter.

The Ramblers, who beat SLU by two points earlier this season and hold the all-time 14-7 series advantage, rallied in the final quarter and pulled within nine off their sixth three of the night before going 3-3 at the charity stripe to reduce the deficit to six. 

Gray's six points through the last 10 minutes helped seal the victory, while the Billikens flexed on the defensive side of the ball holding the Ramblers scoreless from the floor for the final three minutes.

Gray's 22 points matched her career high, while Kennedy (16) and McMakin (10) also reached double figures. On the defensive side of the ball, Julia Martinez pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and grabbed five steals while Kennedy Calhoun registered four assists and three steals of her own.

SLU will play its second-straight home game Saturday evening when the Billikens host Duquesne. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.