After defeating the Billikens 61-53 in this afternoon’s game, the Saluki women’s basketball team can enter Thanksgiving grateful for a victory.

With this new win, the Salukis continue to lead the Bilikens 13-9 in the all-time series with another win being added to Southern’s record today.

Prior to tonight, both teams entered the matchup on wins against other teams.

Play in this afternoon’s matchup kicked off with a Saluki layup from junior guard Makenzie Silvey.

This layup was answered on the next play by SLU (5-2) as they scored a layup of their own to tie the game 2-2.

Scoring between the two teams continued on with the trend of one-point leads and tying.

The first quarter ended with a made jumper from Silvey to put SIU up by two-points at 14-12 entering the second period.

Saint Louis opened the second period scoring with a layup to tie the game for the fourth time.

They went on to score another layup with an additional free throw to take a small lead over Southern, but a three-point jumper from junior forward Abby Brockmeyer tied the game once again.

A 6-2 scoring run for the Salukis pushed them past the Billikens and allowed them to take the biggest lead the game had seen at 29-21.

In the run, we saw two layups each from senior forward Nicole Martin and junior forward Gabby Walker.

The first half ended with a pair of SLU free throws that set the score at 29-23, with Southern ahead.

A jump shot from senior point guard Brittney Patrick opened the third quarter and pushed the score to 31-23.

The Billikens found a rhythm early in this quarter taking off on a 6-1 scoring run on SIU to take the lead at 37-33 and come back from a nearly 10 point deficit.

A jumper from senior guard Kristen Nelson brought the Salukis within just two points of SLU.

In the final minute of the quarter, Southern outscored the Billikens 5-2 to regain control of the lead at 40-39.

The Salukis started the fourth quarter off with a 3-1 scoring run to extend their lead on SLU.

Southern continued to extend their lead throughout the half and were lead by Martin who finished the game with 18 points and seven rebounds.

The Billikens were unable to recover the lead and the Salukis secured the win.

SIU will take the floor again on Dec. 3 in the Banterra Center as they face off against the UT Martin Skyhawks. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

Sports reporter Tamar Mosby can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @mosbytamar.

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