ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University women's basketball won its Atlantic 10 opener on Wednesday night, a 76-70 victory over St. Bonaventure at Chaifetz Arena.
The Billikens opened by hitting four of their first eight shots to take an early five-point lead. SLU kept its efficiency throughout the first quarter, with every starter recording a field goal.
Alyssa Koerkenmeier provided an early spark with four points and three rebounds, and the Billikens led 13-9 after one.
After falling behind early in the second quarter, Saint Louis surged back late in the half behind strong backcourt scoring.
Jahda Denis and
Alexia Nelson combined for 14 of the Billikens' 18 points in the period. St. Bonaventure took a 32-31 lead into halftime.
The teams traded baskets early in the third before the Billikens' defense took control. The Bonnies went scoreless for five minutes during the quarter, while SLU used a 9-0 run to seize momentum. A
Jasaiyah Wallace and-1 pushed the momentum in the Billikens favor heading into the fourth quarter.
Saint Louis opened the final frame with 10 quick points, forcing a Bonnies timeout less than three minutes in. The Billikens went up 62-52, their largest lead of the night. Two steals from
Zya Nugent and a pair of late 3-pointers from Denis sealed SLU's opening conference win.
NOTABLES
- Jahda Denis set a career high with 24 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter
- Her 24 points tie the most by a Billiken this season
- Alexia Nelson tallied her fifth straight double-digit scoring game
- Jasaiyah Wallace scored eight points, a career high
UP NEXT
Saint Louis hosts Evansville on Sunday, Dec. 7, as part of a doubleheader. Men's basketball faces Central Michigan at 2 p.m., followed by the women's game at 5 p.m.
