The Saint Louis Billikens (14-9, 7-3 Atlantic 10) defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (10-13, 5-5 Atlantic 10) 73-71 on Tuesday night.
The Billikens started a scoring show and got an early 12-2 lead in just the first five minutes of the game. The Minutemen were able to catch up and cut the deficit down to two points at the half. After halftime, UMass was able to get out to a quick start and grab a lead, which did result in Saint Louis calling a timeout to try and stop the momentum that was in the Minutemen’s favor. UMass did get their largest lead of the game of 10 points with just over 6 minutes left in the game. From that point in the second half, the Minutemen scored just 7 points and struggled to find ways to fully seal out a win. The Billikens, from the 6:38 mark to the end of the game, went on a 19-7 run that let them get back into the game. Amari McCottry was the player who helped Saint Louis get a road win in the final 49 seconds by getting two steals, two rebounds, and one assist.
The Billikens had three players in double-figure scoring on Wednesday night. Isaiah Swope had 20 points, Gibson Jimerson had 18 points and 5 rebounds, and Kobe Johnson had 11 points and 4 rebounds to round out scorers in double-digits. Kalu Anya had 9 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, McCottry had 7 points and 6 rebounds, Robbie Avila had 6 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds, and Dylan Warlick had 2 points to round out the scorers for Saint Louis.
The Minutemen had three players in double-figure scoring on Wednesday night. Jaylen Curry had 16 points, Daniel Rivera had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 14 points and 7 rebounds for scorers in double-digits. Jayden Ndjigue had 8 points and 4 rebounds, Akil Watson had 6 points, Rahsool Diggins had 5 points, and Shahid Muhammad and Marqui Worthy each had 4 points to round out scorers for UMass.
The Billikens travel to Hawk Hill to face the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (13-9, 4-5 Atlantic 10) on Friday, February 7th at 9pm on ESPNU. The Minutemen travel down to Tom Glasner Arena to face the La Salle Explorers (12-11, 4-6 Atlantic 10) on Sunday, February 9th at 2pm on USA Network.
Featured Image: Devin Lippman, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into either Sports Broadcasting and Journalism or Coaching. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
