Saint Louis opened its two-game exhibition slate with an 85-75 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan Tuesday night at Chaifetz Arena.
Gibson Jimerson (21 points) and Sincere Parker (18) led the Billikens in scoring. The top rebounders for the Billikens were Tim Dalger (eight) and Kellen Thames (seven).
Jimerson’s team-high 21 points came on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. Parker hit 6-of-11 of his shots from the field and drained all six of his free throws.
Also scoring in double digits were Larry Hughes II (15 points) and Terrence Hargrove Jr. (11 points). Hughes II went 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
SLU shot 52.8 percent from the field and got to the free-throw line 28 times, making 22 for a 78.6 percent clip.
Kentucky Wesleyan received a game-high 22 points from Borja Fernandez, and the Panthers did not go down quietly. KWC was within six of the lead after the first media timeout of the second half, but the Billikens pulled away and gained a double-digit advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Billikens were without Abou Magassa and Stef van Bussel as they await clearance from the NCAA. Bruce Zhang did not play due to injury, and Bradley Ezewiro did not dress as he awaits the decision on an NCAA waiver as a two-time transfer.
SLU is back at it on Sunday when it hosts Berea (Ky.) College in an exhibition matchup at Chaifetz Arena. Game time is 3 p.m.
