NORMAL, Ill. – Saint Louis University women's basketball fell 81-75 to Illinois State on Friday night at CEFCU Arena.
 
SLU opened the game on an 8-0 run and extended its lead to 19-10 before taking a 21-12 advantage after the first quarter. Alyssa Koerkenmeier scored nine points in the period, and 14 of the Billikens' points came in the paint.
 
Illinois State responded with an 11-4 run to trim the margin to 25-23. The Billikens were held to six points in the second quarter and trailed 33-27 at halftime.
 
Saint Louis put together another 8-0 run in the third to regain the lead at 42-40. The Billikens outscored the Redbirds 27-19 in the frame and carried a 54-52 lead into the fourth.
 
SLU went up 61-56 with seven minutes to play, but Illinois State used a late 8-0 run to move ahead 76-67 with under a minute remaining. The Redbirds closed out the game for the 81-75 win.
 
NOTABLES

• Jahda Denis posted career-highs with  15 points and added five rebounds.
• Koerkenmeier recorded her first career double-double with 10 rebounds and a career high 15 points.
• Zhykera Brown notched a career-high 16 points.
• Four Billikens scored in double figures for the first time this season.

 
UP NEXT
The Billikens travel to Nashville for the Music City Classic, where they face SMU on Tuesday at 1:15 p.m. and Stetson on Wednesday at 11 a.m.