ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University women's basketball earned a win over the University of Northern Iowa here Sunday evening, defeating the Panthers 68-64 to advance to the third round of the WNIT for the third time in program history.

The Billikens used a 23-point third quarter to take the lead over the Panthers and kept it, not trailing in the game after the three-minute mark of the third period. 

It was a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip and was UNI that held the 17-10 advantage at the end of the opening period shooting 54 percent to the Billikens' 29 percent from the floor. The home team found its stride in the ensuing 10 minutes, and despite giving up a three to go down by 10, Peyton Kennedy pulled the Billikens back within seven off a make of her own from beyond the arc. SLU ended the first half on a 6-0 run sparked by a Kennedy block and a three-pointer from Kennedy Calhoun.

Out of the break, the Billikens rode the momentum they ended the first half with, with Calhoun scoring early to give SLU its second lead of the game, 28-27. The teams continued to trade baskets before Brooklyn Gray gave SLU the 43-41 lead with 3:15 left to play in the third quarter.

The Billikens put up 19 points in the final period while their defense fought off off comeback attempts by the Panthers. After leading by 10 points two minutes into the fourth, UNI went on an 8-0 run to pull back within two. Kennedy had the answer for the Billikens, hitting her second three of the night at a critical time. The Billikens muscled out the four-point win in the final seconds, moving to 19-18 on the year and advancing to the Super 16 of the WNIT.

SLU will travel to Purdue Fort Wayne for the third round of the tournament, and will face off against the Mastodons on Friday. Game time is TBD.