March 1, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery 

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton Flyers women's basketball team picked up their 23rd win of the season in an 85-75 defeat of the Saint Louis Billikens on Senior Day at UD Arena.

With the win the Flyers (23-7, 9-5 A-10) move into contention for a fourth seed and first round bye in the Atlantic 10 tournament next week in Philadelphia. First, however, Richmond needs to defeat Charlotte on the road tonight at 7 p.m. ET. Otherwise UD will be the fifth seed in the upcoming Championships.

Nikki Oakland tallied her ninth double-double of the season amassing 18 points and 12 rebounds in her final home game.

Kendel Ross tied her career-best in points with 16 going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Brittany Holterman was also a force on both ends of the court notching 15 points including 5-of-6 free throws, five field goals and five rebounds.

Dayton dialed in long-range four times on 10 attempts in the first half, but nearly abandoned their distance shots in the second half attempts, connecting on 3-of-4 total attempts.

Overall, the Flyers shot 49-percent from the field while the Billikens dialed in on 39-percent of their shots.

Saint Louis got out to an early 12-6 lead over the Flyers in the first five and a half minutes of action. Billikens guard Hayley Leake accounted for nine of SLU's first 12 points from the field.

Kathy Guin attempted to fire up the Flyers with a long three from the wing, but the Billikens quickly answered back.

Ross put Dayton ahead with a short range field goal, and Guin expanded UD's lead to three, 17-14.

The Flyers became a rebounding machine halfway through the first stanza pulling down 13 total rebounds.

Dayton broke the lead open with 5:10 left on the clock going on a 10-2 run with six points from Ross and four from Kelly Keil, 33-22.

SLU tried to claw their way back into the game multiple times in the first half, but the Flyers ability to crash the boards to a tune of 22 kept them ahead 45-32 heading into halftime.

The Billikens climbed back within striking distance of UD in the second half. With 12:08 left in the game, Theresa Lisch hit a layup and drew the foul to bring Saint Louis within seven, 57-50.

With 9:15 left in the game, SLU pulled within three points of UD behind a pair of Lisch free throws.

Moments later Saint Louis knotted it up 61-61 after dropping 17 of the last 22 points in the game.

Lisch's steal and layup at the seven minute mark gave the Billikens the 65-63 lead. With SLU on the assault, a pair of three pointers from Ross and Kiki Lund tied the game again 69-69.

With their backs against the wall, Oakland and the Flyers were forced to make plays happen in the late stages of the second frame, putting in nine of 12 points in a two minute span, giving the Flyers a late 75-72 advantage.

Late fouls for Saint Louis proved to be their achilles heel at the end of the game. Dayton's ability to hit 13 out of their 15 second half free throws sealed the deal for the Flyers giving them the 85-75 win over the Billikens.

Dayton is guaranteed a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championships next weekend in Philadelphia. The Championships will be held March 7-10 at Saint Joseph's University Alumni Fieldhouse. For more information on the Flyers postseason log onto www.DaytonFlyers.com later Saturday evening for a complete bracket and game times of next weekend's tournament.