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RICHMOND, Va. - A hot first quarter and a strong offensive finish helped second-seeded Saint Louis overcome frigid shooting in the middle quarters and repel a gutsy Rhode Island comeback for a 70-59 victory in the third quarterfinal of the 2016 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship, clinching the Billikens' first-ever semifinal berth.

The Billikens (24-6) raced to a 27-13 lead in a fast-paced first quarter, then proceeded to miss 26 of their 30 field goal attempts over the next two periods. Once down by 21 points, the Rams (12-18) fought back to tie the game twice, the last time at 50-50 early in the fourth. But Saint Louis found the shooting touch in the final minutes both in the field and at the line, going on a 20-9 run to escape with the win.

"I think Rhode Island played their best basketball here at the tournament. They were very difficult to guard and play a unique style defensively,", noted Saint Louis head coach Lisa Stone. "We went 23 of 25 at the free throw line, and we made one turnover in the second half. It takes a team to do what we did today."

Atlantic 10 Co-Player of The Year Jackie Kemph led Saint Louis with 18 points, making all twelve of her free throw attempts, a career-high. Jamesia Price scored 15 points, while Sadie Stipanovich added ten, including four points at the start of the final 20-9 run for the Billikens.

"We weren't worried, we knew what we needed to do, and got stops of the defensive end," Price said, explaining the Billikens' mental attitude that led to ending the Rhode Island comeback.

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The Rams were led by Second Team All-Conference guard Charise Wilson with 18 points, while Tayra Melendez and Samantha Tabakman, named the Atlantic 10's Most Improved Player earlier this week, each added 13.

"We knew it would be a tough fight, but the fact we were down by 21 but didn't quit tells me the direction of our program," said Rhode Island head coach Daynia La-Force. "We have a great group of seniors who really stepped up in this tournament, and our younger players saw what can happen when you rely on that leadership. We're going to be really good next year."

Saint Louis awaits to see whether their opponent will be #3 Duquesne or #6 Fordham, who face off in the last quarterfinal of the day. The second semifinal is scheduled for a 1:30pm tip Saturday afternoon at the Richmond Coliseum.