Home SportsBasketballBillikens Turn Back Loyola Chicago 79-65, Claim A-10 Regular-Season Title Share
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Billikens Turn Back Loyola Chicago 79-65, Claim A-10 Regular-Season Title Share

by Brian Kunderman and Mick Lite
written by Brian Kunderman and Mick Lite 0 comments Buy Author Cup Of Coffee

No. 25 Saint Louis clinched a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season title, secured the No. 1 seed for the A-10 Championship and completed its first undefeated campaign at Chaifetz Arena Wednesday night with a 79-65 victory over Loyola Chicago.

 

SLU (27-3, 15-2 A-10) is one game ahead of second-place VCU with one regular-season contest remaining. The Billikens own a tiebreaker for the top seed by virtue of defeating the Rams in both meetings this year.

 

The Bills’ 19 wins are a Chaifetz Arena single-season record. In addition, Saint Louis tied the school record of 22 consecutive home victories dating to last season.

 

Also, the Billikens set a school record for 3-pointers in a season, finishing the game with 336 treys.

 

Amari McCottry led the way with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting overall, 2-of-3 from 3-point range and 4-of-6 from the foul line. McCottry’s performance helped SLU connect on 60.4 percent (29-of-48) overall, its fifth game of 60 percent or higher this season, and 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from the arc, the Billikens’ seventh outing of 50 percent or better this year.

 

Dion Brown (6-of-6 FG) netted 15 points, and Robbie Avila scored 12 to go with a game-high six rebounds and four assists.

 

Kellen Thames (4-of-5 FG) added nine points, and Paul Otieno contributed five rebounds and a career- and game-high five assists.

 

Saint Louis led 40-32 at halftime and built the margin to 17 points, 51-34, with 14:33 remaining. Loyola fought back and trailed 62-54 with 8:36 to play.

 

The Billikens regained command with a 10-1 spurt for a 72-55 advantage at the 3:53 mark, with four players scoring during the run.

 

Following three early ties, Saint Louis gained an 18-6 lead with a 12-0 flurry that finished with 3-pointers by Ishan Sharma, McCottry and Brady Dunlap on consecutive possessions.

 

Loyola then turned the tables, going on a 23-9 run for a 29-27 edge with 4:38 left in the opening frame. However, Avila sparked a 13-3 Billiken spurt to close the half with a conventional three-point play and a 3-pointer.

 

The Billikens conclude the regular season Saturday, March 7, at George Mason. Tipoff is at 3 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised on USA Network.

Brian Kunderman
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Mick Lite is a versatile entrepreneur, photographer, and blogger with a huge passion for Music, Sports, Movies, Food, and Gaming. He has worked as an official scorer, social media manager, and photographer for various college, semi pro, and pro sports teams, including the River City Rascals, St. Louis Attack, Missouri Monsters, St. Charles Chill, SLU Billikens, Gateway Steam, St. Louis Riversharks, and Gateway Grizzlies. Served 12 years in the USN/USAF/USN.

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