TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State women's basketball team pushed Saint Louis to the final horn, but the Billikens were able to hold off the Sycamores for a 55-53 win in front of 1,295 fans in Hulman Center on Monday.
 
The Trees fall to 2-10 on the year while the Billikens improve to 8-5 to finish out the nonconference portion of the schedule.
 
Historically, the ISU-SLU series features stellar defense on both sides, as the highest point total achieved by either team in their 11 meetings is 75. Monday's action was no different, as both teams failed to shoot over 40% from the floor. The Sycamores managed to hold the Billikens to 33.9% shooting while the blue and white finished at 38.2%.
 
Close statistically in almost every major category, SLU owned the free throw line, finishing 13-20 on the evening while ISU only got to the line nine times, converting five.
 
The trio of Sommer Pitzer, Marie Hunter and Jamyra McChristine led the Indiana State offensive effort against Saint Louis, accounting for 37 of ISU's 53 points. Pitzer led the way with 15 points, while Hunter chipped-in 12 and McChristine 10.
 
Hunter also led the Sycamores in the rebounding category, pulling down five of ISU's 32 total boards. The Billikens finished with the edge, ending with 41 rebounds.
 
The blue and white wasted no time letting Saint Louis know they meant business, as Hattie Westerfeld blocked a Brooke Flowers layup on the first possession, launching an Indiana State 10-2 run to open the game, which included Hunter's first triple since the Pacific game on November 29.
 
A solid team of their own, the Billikens fired back a 12-2 run of their own to take a 14-12 lead, but Pitzer knocked down a three-point shot with 14 seconds, giving ISU a 15-14 advantage heading into the second period.
 
SLU started the second quarter much like the Sycamores began the game, opening with a 7-0 capped off by a Ciaja Harbison three to take a 21-15 lead. The Billikens would push their lead to seven while holding Indiana State to just four points in the frame for a 26-19 halftime lead.
 
The Sycamores responded in the third quarter, coming out hot to pull within 30-28 with 5:54 to go in the quarter, forcing SLU into a timeout. McChristine helped spark the offensive, getting into the lane for a layup and forcing the issue defensively with two steals during the run.
 
A Hunter lay-in a minute later would give the Trees a 33-30 advantage, and ISU would hold onto that lead thanks to an Alyssa Robben layup with seven second to-go in the quarter. Robben finished with a career-high four points and the Sycamores entered the final frame with a 40-37 edge.
 
Continuing the trend of early quarter runs, the Billikens started the fourth quarter 7-2 run, taking the lead back with 4:37 remaining in the game. SLU would push the lead to five with 1:47 left, but Del'Janae Williams answered with her first and only triple of the night, making it a two-point game.
 
Williams would continue to make an impact, finding an open McChristine in the paint with 46 seconds left to pull within one and then stealing the ball eight seconds later, giving the Trees an opportunity to take the lead.
 
SLU was able to stop the Sycamores and while Pitzer was able to connect on a three as time expired, it was too late and the Billikens walked away with the 55-53 victory.
 
Flowers led Saint Louis on Monday evening, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The second section of Indiana State's season now begins, as the travel to Illinois State on Friday for their Missouri Valley Conference opener.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.