The Saint Louis University women’s basketball team concluded another historic season by winning the championship of the WNIT.
The Billikens defeated Minnesota 69-50 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,500 fans at the First Community Arena on the campus of SIU-Edwardsville.
It marked the second consecutive year that head coach Rebecca Tillett has guided her Billikens to a championship.
In winning their first tournament championship in the history of the women’s basketball program, the Billikens also became the first women’s program in the history of the Atlantic 10 Conference to win a postseason tournament. The Billikens finished with a 22-18 record and the winner of 11 of its last 12 games.
In getting to the championship game, the Billikens have played a number of close games, but it was a different story on Saturday as they dominated the game from start to finish. SLU led 16-9 at the end of the first quarter and built the lead to 33-21 at halftime as senior guard Julia Martinez hit a 3-pointer just ahead of the buzzer.
In the second half, the Billikens continued their dominance as they built their lead to as high as 27 points. They utilized some excellent 3-point shooting and a tremendous defensive effort to dominate the Gophers from the Big Ten Conference. SLU made 11 3-pointers and shot 45 percent from long distance while holding Minnesota to 33 percent shooting from the field and 17 percent from 3-point range.
Senior guard Kyla McMakin scored a game-high 20 points and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. McMakin closed out her stellar career with more than 2,500 points and two NCAA Tournament appearances at SLU and Longwood in addition to the WNIT championship.
Guard Peyton Kennedy scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds while making three 3-pointers. She was selected the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after averaging 22 points a game in the Billikens’ six victories.
Point guard Kennedy Calhoun scored 11 points while senior guard Julia Martinez had a brilliant all around game with 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals. Forward Brooklyn Gray added eight points and five rebounds, including a pair of 3-pointers.
It marked the second consecutive year that head coach Rebecca Tillett has guided her Billikens to a championship. Last season, SLU won the Atlantic 10 Conference postseason tournament to earn the school’s first ever berth in the NCAA Tournament.
