(Updated: CHANGES rebounding reference to 33-27 in Para 2)
No. 15 Saint Louis 65, La Salle 63: Jordair Jett scored 25 points, including the go-ahead layup with 3.4 seconds left, as the visiting Billikens pushed their school-record winning streak to 16 games.
Saint Louis (22-2, 9-0 Atlantic-10) has not lost since Dec. 1 following a performance in which the team overcame 2-of-13 3-point shooting and a 33-27 rebounding deficit that included 11 offensive rebounds by La Salle. Dwayne Evans added 14 points for the Billikens while Rob Loe had a team-high nine boards.
The Explorers (12-11, 4-5) were led by Jerrell Wright’s 21 points. Steve Zack posted 15 points and 13 rebounds and Tyreek Duren chipped in 14 points for La Salle.
The Billikens led 29-20 with just over six minutes left in the first half before settling for a 33-33 tie at intermission as Duren knocked down a jumper just before the halftime buzzer. The game remained tight through the early stages of the second half until Saint Louis finally created some separation with a quick 5-0 spurt to take a 61-54 lead with 5:05 to play.
La Salle scored the next seven points, capped by Duren’s 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining, to forge a 61-61 tie. Jett and Duren exchanged layups on the teams’ ensuing possessions before Jett’s game-winner and Tyrone Garland missed a heave from halfcourt at the buzzer.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Evans led Saint Louis with 12 first-half points while Wright had 11 points for La Salle. Zack nearly had a double-double – nine points and 11 rebounds – at the break. … Neither team’s bench provided much offensive support, as the Explorers’ reserves only managed four points and the Billikens’ bench chipped in nine. … Garland has been mired in a miserable shooting slump, shooting 2-of-8 against Saint Louis and 28-of-98 over his last eight games.
