The Billikens  (23-6, 11-4 Atlantic 10) defeated the Xavier Musketeers 70-59 on senior night at Chaifetz Arena.  Senior Brian Conklin lead the way for the Billikens with 23 points, Kwamain Mitchell scored 14 points and Mike McCall Jr. had 10 points. SLU was down 10 at halftime. Shots were not falling for the Bills in the first half. They shot 33.3 % from the field and were only 2-12 from three point range. Xavier was hitting most of their shots as they were 51.9 % from the field in the first half.

The second half was a completely different story. SLU shot the ball much better and quickly gained the lead. The Bills took the lead into double-digits with 9:37 left in the second half and never looked back. The Bills opened the second half on a 24-3 run. Xavier struggled shooting the ball in the second half and missed many open shots.

The play that shifted momentum into the Billikens favor was when they were down one and Dezmine Wells wiffed on a dunk that would have put the Bills down 3, but the Bills responded with a Brian Conklin basket at the other end that put the Bills in the lead for good. The win secure the Bills a first-round bye in the A-10 tournament. The Bills will conclude the A-10 regular season on Saturday playing at Duquense at 11 a.m.

For full analysis of the game, check out the The University News print edition on Thursday.