Jan. 24, 2009
Box Score
ST. LOUIS - Coming back from a 12-point deficit with 6:50 left, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team's rally fell short as senior Jenna Loschiavo's game-tying three pointer in the final second was off the mark as Saint Louis held on for a 75-72 win at the Chaifetz Arena Saturday evening.
Behind an 18-6 run, the Hawks (9-10, 1-3 Atlantic 10) fought back to tie the game at 70 apiece on a pair of free throws by junior Brittany Ford with 1:57 remaining in the game.
Saint Louis' Theresa Lisch buried a three pointer to put the Billikens up 73-70 with 1:32 left, but the Hawks answered back on a Ford layup with 1:12.
The Billikens (9-11, 3-2 A-10) went up 74-72 with 15 seconds left on a free throw by Amanda Kemezys, giving the Hawks a chance to tie or take the lead.
On the ensuing possession, the ball slipped through the hands of SJU's Mariame Djouara in the backcourt and Lisch picked up the loose ball. Lisch would make one of two from the line to put Saint Louis up 75-72, but the Hawks quickly got the ball up the court.
With time running out, Loschiavo got off a deep three pointer from the right side, only to have it hit the front of the rim and bounce off as time expired.
In the first half, Saint Joseph's jumped out quickly to a 14-6 edge, but the Billikens fought back to grab their first lead, 25-24, on a Kemezys jumper with 7:51 left in the first half.
Both teams would trade baskets, with the game tied at 32 all at the 3:26 mark. From there, Djouara took over for SJU, scoring five points, with sophomore forward Dominique Bryant adding a layup in the final minute to give SJU a 39-34 edge at halftime.
The Hawks struggled for much of the second half, as the Billikens quickly grabbed the lead 5:05 into the final stanza, and extended their advantage to 12 until the final minutes.
Individually, Djouara and Ford combined for 40 points, with Djouara adding five assists to go with 21 points, while Ford adding 10 points and six rebounds. Loschiavo connected on four three pointers and finished with 15 points, while Bryant added 10 points.
At the other end, Lisch scored a game-high 25 points, while Kemezys added 21 points.
Saint Joseph's returns to action this Wednesday versus Xavier at the Gallagher Center. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
