Saint Louis defeats Saint Joseph's 102-79
Saint Louis Dominates Saint Joseph's in Statement Win
In a resounding display of dominance, the Saint Louis Billikens took down their conference rivals, the Saint Joseph's Hawks, 102-79 at Chaifetz Arena on New Year's Eve.
The home team came out strong, building a 49-40 halftime lead that would prove insurmountable for the visiting Hawks. The largest lead of the game was a 28-point margin in favor of Saint Louis, as the Billikens' defense stifled Saint Joseph's offense and limited them to just 39 points in the first half.
Saint Louis' Robbie Avila led the way with 20 points, 8 assists, and 4 three-pointers, while Brady Dunlap chipped in with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Billikens' balanced attack allowed them to control the pace of the game, outscoring Saint Joseph's 53-39 in the first half.
The Hawks struggled to find their footing, shooting just 42% from the field and committing 6 turnovers in the first half. Jaiden Glover-Toscano led Saint Joseph's with 23 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
In the second half, Saint Louis continued to pull away, using their defense to limit Saint Joseph's scoring opportunities. The Billikens' advanced statistics painted a clear picture of their dominance: they shot 63% from the field, 59% from three, and 64% from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Saint Joseph's struggled with efficiency, shooting just 49% from the field and committing 9 turnovers.
The final margin was 23 points, a testament to the Billikens' superiority on both ends of the floor. The loss dropped Saint Joseph's to [insert ranking], while Saint Louis remained undefeated at home.
As the conference standings begin to take shape, this win cements Saint Louis' position as one of the top teams in the league. With their dominant performance against a quality opponent, the Billikens are poised to make a deep run in the postseason.
The game will be remembered for its lopsided scoreline and Saint Louis' decisive performance, marking a statement win for the home team.