PHILADELPHIA - Saint Louis used a 16-2 opening run to take control from the outset as La Salle dropped a 76-47 decision to the Billikens at Tom Gola Arena on Wednesday evening.
Micahya Owens led the Explorers (10-9, 1-5 Atlantic 10) with 18 points, and added four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Lisa Mintzer recorded a career-high four blocked shots, doubling her previous career high of two set on five different occasions.Â
SLU rookie Jackie Kemph led all players with 20 points, and dished out a game-high seven assists. Sadie Stipanovich added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Jamesia Price chipped in 11 points for the Billikens (9-10, 2-4 Atlantic 10).
After the initial 16-2 Billiken run, the Explorers got within five thanks to a 9-0 run to put the score at 16-11 at 9:17. They got within five once more at 19-14, but the Billikens once again caught fire. SLU closed the half on a 16-4 run to take a 35-18 halftime lead. The Billikens pushed the lead to as many as 30 in the second half on two separate occasions.
The Explorers were hampered again by cold shooting, going just 31.1 percent overall and 16.7 percent (3-for-18) from long range. The Billikens went 48.2 percent overall and 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from three. They also hit 15 of 20 free throw attempts, while the Explorers went 6-for-8 at the charity stripe.
Saint Louis recorded 22 assists on 27 field goals, and outrebounded La Salle 47-28.
The Explorers owned the turnover edge, committing 14 while forcing SLU into 18.
The squad returns to action on Saturday when No. 24 George Washington pays a visit to Tom Gola Arena at 1 pm.
