ST. LOUIS -  Saint Louis University women's basketball punched a ticket to the Great 8 of the WNIT Friday night, defeating Purdue Fort Wayne, 82-78, in the Super 16.

The Billikens trip to the WNIT's final eight is only their second in program history while the team's three post-season wins mark a school best. 

Peyton Kennedy tied her career high with 31 points in the win and put the game away on a layup with 27 seconds to go Friday as the Mastodons made a late push in the fourth quarter, pulling within two with 55 seconds left to play. 

The Billikens and Mastodons traded the lead in the first half at the Gates Sports Center before Tierra Simon, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season in the Super 16 game, tied the game up at 41 apiece heading into the break. 

Out of the locker rooms, SLU used a 12-3 run to take a 53-44 advantage midway through the third quarter. The Billikens extended their lead up to 13 points, but the Masodons scored five unanswered to lessen their deficit back to eight points before Kyla McMakin gave SLU the 10-point lead. Despite the Mastodons best efforts, which included a 7-1 run, the Billikens iced their win with Kennedy's 31st point of the night and a Julia Martinez steal. 
 
Kennedy also had nine rebounds. Kyla McMakin scored 17 points, and Simon finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Martinez came through with eight assists and Kennedy Calhoun added six steals, matching her career high. SLU had a 40-31 edge in rebounds and forced 19 turnovers.

The Billikens (19-18) will play at Wisconsin (15-16) in the next round. Tip-off against the Badgers is set for 7 p.m. (CST).