No. 18 Saint Louis University cleared another hurdle in its quest through the Atlantic 10 Wednesday night, knocking off preseason favorite St. Joseph’s University 70-53 at Chaifetz Arena. The victory was the Billikens’ 10th in a row (first 10-game win streak since 1993-94), improving them to 22-5 (10-2) on the year and increasing their A-10 lead to 1.5 games over VCU and 2.5 over No. 20 Butler.
After struggling to establish any sort of rhythm in the opening frame, SLU came out firing in the second half, outscoring the Hawks 21-7 over the first 10 minutes.
Dwayne Evans led the Billiken charge, registering 21 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.
Rob Loe (11) and Mike McCall Jr. (10) also finished in double-figures for SLU, which shot 41 percent from the field as a team. The Bills held the advantage in the paint (34-20), on the glass (41-29) and off the bench (20-6)
Ronald Roberts, who finished with 25 points, led St. Joe’s offensively. As a team, the Hawks (15-11, 6-7) shot 32 percent from the field and were just three for 17 from behind the arc.
SLU led by as much as 10 points with four minutes left in the first half, but foul trouble shortened its bench and St. Joe’s took advantage, closing the half on a 10-2 run to trim the score to 29-27 at the break.
Foul trouble significantly limited playing time for Kwamain Mitchell, Cody Ellis, Cory Remekun and Jordair Jett, all of who registered two fouls by the two minute mark of the first half, including Mitchell who picked up his second at the 9:30 mark.
SLU will venture out for its final road trip of the season, starting with George Washington on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
