Saint Louis University put on a clinic Tuesday night at Chaifetz Arena, opening with a 21-0 run and never looking back in a 125-63 demolition of Northern Kentucky. The Billikens improve to 3-0, while the Norse drop to 2-2.
The performance was historic on multiple fronts. SLU set two Chaifetz Arena records with 30 assists and 18 steals. The 125 points marked the third-highest total in program history and the most the Billikens have ever scored against a Division I opponent. The 62-point margin of victory was also the largest against a D-I team in Chaifetz Arena history.
Trey Green led the way with 22 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 7-of-8 from beyond the arc. His seven threes came two shy of the school record. Amari McCottry and Kellen Thames each added 18 points while shooting a perfect 7-of-7 and 8-of-8 from the field, respectively. Ishan Sharma contributed 16 points, and Quentin Jones posted 11 points with a game-high 10 assists for his third career double-double.
The Billikens were lethal from deep, connecting on 18-of-32 three-pointers (56.3 percent). The 18 makes were one short of the school record. SLU’s 21-0 start was its best opening run since scoring the first 17 points against Alabama State on December 17, 2011. Northern Kentucky went scoreless for the first 6:45 as the Billikens built their early cushion.
Saint Louis carried a 56-24 lead into the break after shooting 54.3 percent from the field in the first half, including 7-of-16 from three, while holding NKU to 8-of-38 shooting (21.1 percent). The second half brought no relief for the Norse. SLU poured in 69 points after intermission and pushed the lead as high as 62 points in the closing minutes.
The Billikens return to Chaifetz Arena on Sunday, November 15, to host High Point. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
