The good news for the Saint Louis University Billikens is that Marque Perry is back. The bad news is that its offense is still missing.
The Billikens followed up their worst offensive performance in three seasons with a 67-46 loss to Conference USA’s punching bag Southern Mississippi on Tuesday night. It was SLU’s third loss in a row, and the fifth loss in its last six games. Southern Miss snapped a four-game losing streak with the win and won only its second game in the conference.
SLU’s shooting woes continued as they shot only 35 percent for the game, including a 7-23 effort in the second half that produced only 21 points. The Billikens have now shot less than 36 percent in five of their last six games. They also committed 14 turnovers, including eight by Perry, who was making his first start since returning from a concussion he suffered two weeks ago.
The Billikens hung tough in the first half, as the lead changed hands on a number of occasions. However, after a technical foul by Southern Miss, Drew Diener failed to make either of his free throws, and the Billikens came away with no points. SLU was within three at halftime with the score 28-25.
SLU looked to be coming out ready to fight in the second half, as they cut the Golden Eagles lead down to 32-31, at 16:24, but they were never able to regain the lead. The Golden Eagles used a 12-2 run, highlighted by forward Elvin Mims’s two three-point plays. The lead never dipped back below double digits.
A bad shooting night is nothing new for the Billikens, as they have been held to 50 points or less in their last three games, but the defense also seemed to struggle against the Golden Eagles. Shooting only 37 percent in their C-USA games, Southern Miss hit on 48 percent of its shots, their best shooting night of the year in conference games.
“As bad as it seems right now, I really believe that we’re going to be better as Marque Perry gets back in his rhythm after being out two weeks,” coach Lorenzo Romar said after the game. “Sometimes you have to get worse before you get better.”
As poorly as the Billikens played offensively Tuesday night, it was an improvement from their game last Saturday against Marquette as the Billikens lost 55-38 and put out their worst offensive game in Romar’s tenure at SLU.
The highlight of the game for SLU came four minutes into the first half when SLU guard Marque Perry entered the game for the first time to a loud Savvis crowd. It was Perrys first game back in two weeks.
SLU turned the ball over on its first four possessions and went scoreless for the first eight minutes. By the time Perry had gotten through the stifling Eagles defense for a lay-up, the Billikens were already down 12-0.
Things did not get much better from there. Marquette would stretch the lead out to 21-4 at the 8:30 mark before back to back three pointers from Josh Fisher and Diener pulled the Billikens to within 11. The Billikens finished the first half with 28 percent shooting and only 18 points.
“We had too many turnovers right from the start, and they came out defending well and getting into the passing lanes,” said Perry, who led the Billikens with four assists. “At the offensive end, we didn’t execute the way we’re supposed to.”
SLU struggled all night against a superior Marquette defense. Reserve forward Josh Seyfert led the Billiken frontcourt with three points. He was also the only SLU man to actually put the ball in the basket. Chris Sloan was given two points on a goaltending call. Kenny Brown and Chris Braun went scoreless. The Billikens scored only six points in the paint while Marquette scored 30.
“I don’t know where to start,” Romar said. “Marquette did an exceptional job of taking us out of our offense. They were anticipating our passes. They doubled us on the blocks.
When we did get open looks, we weren’t able to knock them down. That’s the best anyone has defended us.”
Fisher led the Billikens with nine points. It was the first time since 1996 that a Billiken had not reached double digits. The 38 points was SLU’s lowest point total since Jan. 5, 2000 when they scored 38 in a loss against Marquette.
The Billikens will try to get their offense back on track this Saturday as they play at East Carolina at 6 p.m. SLU won the first game between the two teams this season 85-72 in St. Louis.
