Sadie Stipanovich scored a Saint Louis season-high 24 points, but SIUE handed the Billikens their first defeat of the season in a 71-64 final Monday night at the Vadalabene Center. SLU dipped to 7-1 with the loss, while SIUE improved to 4-5.
The Billikens began the second quarter with an 11-4 run, including eight points from Stipanovich, to go on top 25-22. The Cougars used a 10-1 run to take a 47-41 third-quarter lead. The Billikens regained the upper hand, 50-49, with six points by Stipanovich early in the fourth, but SIUE responded to go back on top for good two possessions later.
SLU was looking for their first 8-0 start in program history.
Stipanovich was 7-of-13 from the field and 10-of-10 from the foul line. The 10-of-10 effort is the second-best perfect free throw performance in the A-10 this season. The daughter of Mizzou great Steve Stipanovich gathered a SLU season-high five offensive rebounds.