Once again, the SLU Billikens started slow, but managed to pull away from their opponenet down the stretch for an easy win. It appeared that the Billikens thought the game started at 7:30, as they limped out of the gate, trailing 8-2 early. It didn't help that the Tigers of Tennessee State could not miss. The Tigers started 4 of 5 from three point range.
The tide began to shift with about three minutes to play before halftime. Buoyed by strong play from Freshman reserve forward Dwayne Evans, the Billikens went on an 11-2 run to end the first half, and went to the break leading 33-29. They had to be relieved to have a lead, after not really showing up for the first 17 minutes of the game.
Well, maybe they got a little full of themselves, because the start of the second half looked like a carbon copy of the start of the game. TSU came out fired up and dropped a 6-0 run on the Billikens to grab the lead right back, just over a minute in to the second half. This prompted a timeout from Head Coach Rick Majerus, and the team responded.
From that point forward, SLU outscored TSU by 30 points. Guard play really led the way for the Billikens. At different times, Kyle Cassity, Jordair Jett, and Mike McCall each took turns creating their own shots using dribble penetration.
The defensive intensity also increased for the Billikens, which led to turnovers by TSU, who ended the game with 21 give aways. Also, it led to frustration for the Tigers, best evidenced by a foul called after a Billiken basket when a Tiger player pushed a Billiken in the back in the lane for no apparent reason.
The Billlikens shot an impressive 52.7% from the field, and 56.3% from three point range. However, they again struggled from the line, making only 11 of 16. TSU shot only 44.2% from the field, and after that torrid start making 4 of 5 threes, they only made 1 of their next 7.
The Billikens are back in action on Saturday afternoon. It is a 1:00 PM tip at Chaifetz Arena against IUPUI. Taking a look at the Jaguars, they are 2-3, with wins over Indiana University-Northwest (not the Hoosiers) and Green Bay. They were beaten by 30 by Gonzaga, and have also lost to Miami (Ohio) and San Diego State. They are led in scoring, rebounds, and assists by 6'6" Junior Forward Alex Young.
BILLIKENS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Freshman guard, Mike McCall, was not in the starting lineup like he was against Georgia. Tonight he made a case to be back in it on Saturday. McCall finished with 15 points and 6 assists, only turning the ball over twice. He also showed great effort on the defensive end with three steals.
TIGERS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Sophomore forward, Robert Covington, led all scoreers with 21 points on 9 of 12 shooting, which included 3 of 4 from three point range. He also had 7 rebounds, in 39 minutes of action.
No comments:
Post a Comment