Feb. 6, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHA - Backed by a solid defensive performance, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team held Saint Louis to a season-low scoring output as the Hawks topped the Billikens, 65-44, Wednesday evening at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

Holding the Billikens to just 14-of-57 from the floor (24.6 percent) for the game, Saint Joseph's (12-10, 4-3 Atlantic 10) jumped out to an early lead that it never relinquished. Up 10-6, the Hawks used a 7-0 run midway through the first half as senior guard Amy Wold capped the spurt with a three-pointer at 10:55 to put SJU up 17-6.

Saint Louis (9-14, 4-4 A-10) fought back, cutting the deficit to 25-18, but the Hawks offense again responded, putting together an 8-1 run, from 6:33 to 3:41. Junior guard Jenna Loschiavo scored four of her 15 points during that run, putting Saint Joseph's ahead 33-19.

Saint Joseph's took a 37-23 edge into halftime, but the Billikens came out aggressive, scoring the first five points to make it a 37-28 game on a pair of Theresa Lisch free throws at the 17:14 mark.

Seeing their lead cut to single digits, the Hawks answered with a 17-4 run over the next 4:57 to take a commanding 54-32 edge. Saint Joseph's freshman center Sarah Acker scored seven of her game-high 17 points during that stretch.

The Hawks would expand their lead to as many as 25 over the final 12:17, with Saint Louis getting no closer than 18.

As a team, Saint Joseph's went 27-of-66 from the floor (40.9 percent) and posted a season-low 10 turnovers to its 20 assists. Saint Louis, which won the battle of the boards 48-39, committed 19 turnovers.

Individually, Acker posted her second double-double of the week, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds, to go with two blocks and three steals. With her two blocks, Acker moves into 10th place in SJU's single-season records for blocks with 31. Loschiavo was the only other Hawk in double digits, scoring 15 points off the bench, while freshman forward Dominique Bryant posted a team and career-high six assists to go with eight points

Lisch and teammate Amanda Kiemezys both tallied 13 points for the Billikens, with Heather King grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds in the loss,

The Hawks return to action Saturday, February 9, when Saint Joseph's host Duquesne. SJU will also host "Think Pink Day", promoting breast cancer awareness with one-dollar tickets available for fans wearing pink to the game.