For the men’s basketball team, the charity stripe provided little relief on Saturday.
In a very winnable game on the road against Southern Illinois, the Saint Louis University Men’s Basketball Team’s poor free-throw shooting and lack of crucial rebounding were reflected in the final score, 65-56. Sitting at 5-2, the Bills have yet to decide what caliber of team they want to be.
Star Senior Ian Vouyoukas never got rolling against the front court tandem of Randall Falker and Matt Shaw, attempting only three field goals, but making two. Vouyoukis did attempt ten free throws, making six.
It was a stark contrast for Voyoukas, who dominated the Salukis’ front line last season, collecting 17 points and 12 rebounds in a victory.
Sophomores Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch added 14 a piece for SLU, and led the Bill’s perimeter scoring attack. SLU scored 4 points in the paint, and Southern Illinois had only eight.
What separated the teams was their free throw shooting percentage, a match up decisively won by the Salukis. SLU managed only 56.5% (13-23), while Southern Illinois converted 85% (17-20).
Although they were outrebounded by only three (31-28), the Bills picked the wrong times to give up the advantage. After coming back from down double digits and pulling within four with eight minutes, the Billikens allowed the Salukis to hold the ball for over two minutes, giving up a pair of offensive rebounds and a quick turnover.
Southern Illinois capitalized on the chance, and sunk a three to end possession, making the difference eight with six to play. The offense did not back up the defense. After giving up the lead with 2:21 left in the first half, SLU never again within three.
Neither team ever got a running game going, and no fast break points were scored. The Billiken bench did not provide much of a lift either, adding only three points on four shots. The SIU bench added 12.
Vouyoukas missed his third consecutive double double by two rebounds, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds. Guard Luke Meyer led the team in rebounding with 9.
SIU, which has made the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons, is the type of mid-major program that SLU is working towards becoming. Astoundingly, they have managed to do it in the ultra-competitive Missouri Valley Conference, which sent four teams to the “Big Dance” last season, including two teams that reached the round of 16.
Last season the Bills knocked off the Salukis with lock-down defense in a 56-42 victory at the Savvis Center.
The Billikens bounced back to win three straight after being flattened by 12th ranked Texas A&M on November 19th. However, after dropping this game against the Salukis, the Bills can no longer feel as if they are on the cusp of a top 25 ranking.
With only the A&M loss, SLU had a case to make some noise at the bottom of the top of the college basketball world. Now, the Billikens are left struggling to find out where exactly they are.
Still a potential tournament team, the Bills need to string a few wins together before facing one of the best college basketball has to offer on the 22nd when they play the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels.
SLU hosts the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Saturday, Dec. 9th. The Billiken’s are undefeated at home this year.
