DAYTON, Ohio – Despite keeping it close throughout, the University of Dayton women's basketball team fell to Saint Louis, 52-55, Wednesday night at UD Arena. The loss drops the Flyers' overall record to 13-13 and 6-9 in the A-10 while Saint Louis improves to 22-6 and 12-3 in conference action.

Junior Saicha Grant-Allen led the Flyers in scoring with 13 points while senior Jodie Cornelie-Sigmundova had a near triple-double with 11 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and a career-high-tying nine blocks.

Game Breakdown
1Q: The first quarter was characterized by fast-paced play and tough half-court defense as both teams shot under 40 percent from the field. The Flyers were paced by a strong start from Cornelie-Sigmundova, who had seven points and six rebounds in the first frame. However, five Flyer turnovers led to eight Billiken points and a 17-14 deficit heading into the second period.
2Q: The Flyers came out shooting aggressively early in the second with three-point field goals from both sophomore Jenna Burdette and freshman Maddy Dennis, putting the Flyers down only 24-22 halfway through the quarter. That would be the last time the Flyers would score until the 30-second mark when sophomore JaVonna Layfield put back a layup and converted an old-fashioned three-point play setting the score at 29-25 in favor of the Billikens at the half.
3Q: Coming out of intermission, the Flyers grabbed eight offensive rebounds which led to eight of the Flyers' 13 points in the third quarter. Dayton was able to cut the Saint Louis lead to one, 36-35, but a strong quarter from the Billikens' Jackie Kemph keep them out front.
4Q: Entering the fourth quarter, both Dayton and Saint Louis were determined to take a decisive advantage, answering each team's first three possessions with points of their own. Grant-Allen and Burdette put together a 6-0 Flyer run to again get Dayton to within one, 50-51. Unfortunately, this was as close as the Flyers got as the Billikens were able to create enough separation at the free throw line to claim a narrow 55-52 win.

Inside the Numbers
•    Grant-Allen led the Flyers with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while also chipping in with four rebounds.
•    Cornelie-Sigmundova had a near triple-double with 11 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, and tied her career high of nine blocks (vs. VCU 1/13/16).
•    Layfield also dominated the boards, totaling a career-high nine rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass.

Key Stats
•    The Flyers dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 55 boards to the Billikens'' 36.
•    The rebounding margin was built on a strong performance on the offensive glass, with the Flyers gaining a 25-8 advantage, leading to 19 second-chance points.
•    Where Dayton won on the boards, it lost in turnovers, totaling 20 which led to 15 points off turnovers for Saint Louis.

Up Next
The Flyers close out the regular season at home on Senior Night on Sunday, February 28th at 5 p.m. against Fordham.