Chicago – Saint Louis University extended its winning streak to 18 games with an 86-59 victory over Loyola Chicago in an Atlantic 10 Conference game on Friday night at the Gentile Center.
With a large contingent of SLU fans in the building, the No. 18 Billikens treated them to another big performance as they improved their overall record to 23-1. The Billikens are also 12-0 in Atlantic 10 play, which is two games in front of second-place VCU.
The Billikens survived some sloppy play in the first half to take a 39-29 lead at halftime. They turned it on in the second half as they outscored the Ramblers 47-30 to coast to the victory. The Billikens shot 58 percent from the field in the second half and made seven 3-pointers. They finished the game making 14 3-pointers while shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc. SLU also held the Ramblers to 33 percent shooting from the field as they played stellar defense after halftime.
As usual, the Billikens had balanced scoring with a team-high 14 points each from guards Trey Green and Ishan Sharma. Both also connected on four 3-pointers on the evening. The 6’0” Green also grabbed six rebounds while Sharma handed out five assists.
Guard Quentin Jones had 12 points, six rebounds and two assists in his return to his hometown of Chicago. Sophomore Amari McCottry had 11 points, a team-high seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Guard Dion Brown added nine points while forward Paul Otieno came off the bench to score seven points. Former Pattonville High standout Kellen Thames also had eight points and four rebounds.
The Billikens’ 18-game winning streak is just one shy of the school record, which was set by the 2012-13 team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
SLU returns to action on Tuesday night with another Atlantic 10 road game at Rhode Island. Tip off is at 6 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on ESPN+ and broadcast on KMOX AM-1120.
Why can’t with all this basketball talent in the area, we don’t have some local players on the team.