Saint Louis took down George Washington 79-76 at Chaifetz Arena, with Trey Green's 23 points pacing the Billikens to their 20th win of the season. The Colonials, led by Christian Jones' 15 points and 5 rebounds, put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short. CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Saint Louis winning by 10, but George Washington made it a much closer contest, only to be edged out by three points.
The first half saw George Washington take control, scoring 43 points to Saint Louis' 33. However, the Billikens regrouped at halftime and came out strong in the second period, outscoring the Colonials 46-33. Robbie Avila and Kellen Thames provided key support for Green, with Avila notching 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Thames adding 15 points and 6 rebounds. Saint Louis' balanced attack proved too much for George Washington to handle, as the Billikens' offense clicked into high gear in the second half.
George Washington, meanwhile, had several players step up alongside Jones. Tyrone Marshall Jr. and Trey Autry each scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Billikens' surge. The Colonials' strong first-half performance ultimately wasn't sustained, as Saint Louis' adjustments at halftime paid off.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The win improves Saint Louis' record to 20-1, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the country. This result also marks a Quadrant 2 win for the Billikens, which will look good on their resume come tournament time. For George Washington, the loss drops them to 13-8, but the Colonials can take heart from their strong performance against a top-ranked opponent. This game falls under Quadrant 1 for George Washington, a valuable experience that will help them prepare for the rest of their schedule.
Saint Louis' ability to bounce back from a slow start and take down a tough opponent will serve them well as they navigate the remainder of their season. With their strong record and impressive wins, the Billikens are making a compelling case for a high seed in the tournament. As for George Washington, while this loss may sting, their performance against Saint Louis demonstrates that they have the talent and determination to compete with anyone. The Colonials want to build on this experience and make a push for a tournament berth of their own. The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances, as Saint Louis continues to bolster their resume with quality wins, while George Washington seeks to learn from their close loss and make a late-season surge.