Pittsburgh, PA – Saint Louis University survived its first test as a nationally-ranked team with an 81-77 victory over Duquesne in an Atlantic 10 Conference game on Tuesday night at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
The Billikens came into the contest ranked No. 24 in the latest Associated Press national poll. They built a 17-point lead in the second half, only to see the host Dukes stage a furious rally in the closing minutes of the game. Duquesne cut the lead to 78-77 on a 3-pointer by guard Jimmy Williams with under a minute to play.
SLU forward Brady Dunlap made two free throws to give the Billikens an 80-77 lead. Senior guard Dion Brown sealed the game with a free throw to provide the final margin.
The Billikens had a balanced scoring attack which saw five players score in double figures. Center Robbie Avila, guard Trey Green and Brown led the way with 14 points each. Avila also had six rebounds and five assists while Green made four 3-pointers.
Dunlap finished with 11 points while Pattonville High product Kellen Thames added 10 points. Guard Amari McCottry finished with eight points, seven rebounds and a career-high four steals.
The Billikens improved to 18-1 and 6-0 in Atlantic 10 play while running their current winning streak to 12 games. They are also one win away from tying the program’s best start in history in the first 20 games. The 1993-94 Billikens opened the season with a 19-1 record.
Saint Louis will return to action on Friday when they visit St. Bonaventure in another A-10 contest in Olean, New York. Tip-off is at 4:30 (St. Louis time).