Saint Louis asserted its dominance over Fordham at Chaifetz Arena, cruising to a 78-56 victory behind a well-rounded performance from its roster. The Billikens, now 20-1 on the season, were led by Kellen Thames, who scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Thames' efforts were complemented by Quentin Jones' 13 points and Amari McCottry's 12 points and 8 rebounds, showcasing the depth and versatility of the Saint Louis offense.
Fordham, despite a valiant effort from Dejour Reaves, who scored a game-high 18 points, struggled to keep pace with the Billikens' high-powered attack. The Rams, now 10-10 on the season, were outscored 44-30 in the first half, with Saint Louis' defense holding them to just 30% shooting from the field. Christian Henry added 12 points for Fordham, while Akira Jacobs chipped in with 9 points and 9 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the Billikens' balanced onslaught.
The game unfolded with Saint Louis taking control from the outset, using a 12-2 run midway through the first half to build a 14-point lead. Fordham managed to trim the deficit to 10 points on several occasions, but the Billikens' defense consistently stifled their attempts to mount a comeback. In the second half, Saint Louis continued to pull away, outscoring the Rams 34-26 to seal the 22-point victory.
The win marks a significant Quad 4 victory for Saint Louis, which will have minimal impact on their tournament resume but helps to maintain their strong overall record. For Fordham, the loss represents a missed opportunity to secure a Quad 1 win, which could have bolstered their NCAA tournament chances. Instead, the Rams want to regroup and focus on their upcoming conference schedule.
With this result, Saint Louis reinforces its position as one of the top teams in the country, with a strong 20-1 record and a NET ranking of 18. The Billikens' ability to dominate opponents like Fordham, even in non-conference matchups, demonstrates their depth and consistency, making them a formidable opponent in the eyes of the selection committee. Conversely, Fordham's loss drops them to 10-10, with a NET ranking of 227, highlighting the need for the Rams to string together a series of wins to revive their tournament hopes. As the season progresses, Saint Louis want to build on this performance, while Fordham will aim to learn from their mistakes and make a push for a postseason berth.