Saint Louis defeats San Francisco 85-75
Saint Louis Edges Out San Francisco in Thrilling Non-Conference Showdown
The Chaifetz Arena crowd witnessed an entertaining and closely contested matchup between the host Saint Louis Billikens and visiting San Francisco Dons on Monday night. In the end, Saint Louis emerged victorious with a 10-point win, spoiling the visitors' hopes of securing a crucial non-conference victory.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets in the first half. The home team's Amari McCottry led the charge, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to help Saint Louis take an early lead. However, San Francisco's Ryan Beasley countered with 21 points of his own, keeping the visitors within striking distance.
The turning point came midway through the second half, when Saint Louis stepped up its defensive intensity, forcing San Francisco into several crucial turnovers. This allowed the home team to pull away and never look back.
Saint Louis' Dion Brown had a standout performance on both ends of the floor, scoring 14 points while also grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out four assists. Quentin Jones chipped in with five points and four assists, showcasing his all-around skills.
Meanwhile, San Francisco's Mookie Cook was instrumental off the bench, contributing five points and seven rebounds to his team's effort. However, despite a valiant effort, the Dons were unable to overcome their shooting woes, making just 28.0% of their three-point attempts.
The final margin of victory for Saint Louis was 10 points, with the home team holding a significant advantage in the paint and on the glass. The Billikens' eFG% of 54.0% compared favorably to San Francisco's 48.4%, highlighting the importance of efficient shooting in the decisive win.
This non-conference matchup marked an opportunity for both teams to gain valuable experience and exposure against a strong opponent. For Saint Louis, the win was a significant boost to their resume and demonstrated their ability to compete with top-tier programs.
The loss drops San Francisco's record to [insert current record], while Saint Louis improves to [insert current record]. The Dons will look to bounce back in their next outing, while the Billikens will aim to build on this momentum as they continue their non-conference schedule.