Saint Louis was denied entry into the Atlantic 10 conference finals by the Xavier Musketeers 71-64. The loss puts the Bills at 25-7 overall record before Selection Sunday. The Bills are likely to get into the NCAA tournament.

Five Billikens scored in double figures; the team was led by Brian Conklin who scored 14 points, Jordair Jett and Dwayne Evans both scored 11 points and Kwamain Mitchell and Cody Ellis contributed 10 points.

SLU jumped out to the early 6-0 lead thanks in part to two Mitchell three-pointers, but after Mitchell’s three pointers, the Bills only made four more three pointers the entire game.  Xavier fought back, but the Bills maintained a slim lead until the 2:55 mark left when Xavier claimed the lead, 23-21, on a Xavier putback. The Bills would never see the lead again.

Xavier opened the second half by extending its lead into double digits. SLU then went on an 8-2 run to cut the Xavier lead to single digits with 11:56 left in the second half.

SLU cut the Xavier lead to one with 7:33 left in the half, but that was the closest attempt the Bills had to regain the lead from Xavier. The game would remain close the rest of the half. Ellis made a three pointer with 1:11 left to cut the Xavier lead at 3, but with 29 seconds left in the game Xavier’s Kenny Frease was fouled and he converted his two free throws which sealed the game for Xavier.

The Bills will be waiting on Selection Sunday to hear where they will be playing next.