The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team was .1 second away from taking the No. 13 team in the nation into overtime Thursday, Feb. 7.
Junior guard Kevin Lisch kept the Billikens in contention with three 3-point shots and a three-point play in the last minute, but it was Xavier University’s Derrick Brown who tapped in his teammate’s miss for the 70-68 win.
“We didn’t give up; we never feel like we’re out of the game if there’s still time on the clock,” Lisch said. “I got open a few times and knocked them down, but it just didn’t happen in the end.”
The Musketeers of Xavier came out strong in the first half, scoring on six out of its first seven possessions to lead 12-3. Xavier used its height advantage down low with Josh Duncan, who hit his first four shots and finished the half with 13 points.
The Billikens were able to string together a run of their own, including two 3-pointers from Lisch and junior guard Tommie Liddell III. Their momentum trailed off toward the end of the first half when the Bills went nearly five minutes without a bucket and trailed Xavier by 16 points with three minutes left.
Xavier held SLU to 27-percent shooting in the first half and finished with 16 first-half points in the paint compared to SLU’s 5 points.
“Part of the reason why we had problems in the first half was because we can’t replicate the size, quickness and athletic ability of guys like [Jason] Love and Duncan,” men’s basketball coach Rick Majerus said.
The Billikens came out in the second half with a renewed sense of defense and better shooting average. Lisch said the Bills were able to contain the pick-and-roll defense that gave them trouble in the first half.
“We played better defense in the second half and were able to run a little more and move a little crisper,” Lisch said.
Although the Bills would string together runs to shorten the lead, the Musketeers responded each time and continued to extend their lead. With 2:13 seconds left in the game and Xavier up by 9 points, Lisch took the game into his own hands.
“I think what [Lisch] did toward the end of the game speaks volumes to his ability,” Xavier coach Sean Miller said. “He almost single handedly defeated us.”
The department of athletics is sponsoring “Blue Out Week,” and the first 10,000 fans at the Xavier game received a free T-shirt. Alumni Relations, the Student Class Gift Program and Blue Crew also helped organize events.
