Saint Louis asserted its dominance over Richmond from the opening tip, cruising to an 88-63 victory at Chaifetz Arena. The Billikens' high-powered offense was on full display, with Kellen Thames pacing the team with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Thames was one of three Saint Louis players to score in double figures, as Robbie Avila and Amari McCottry chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Billikens stormed out to a 43-22 halftime lead, thanks in large part to their stifling defense. Richmond struggled to find any rhythm on offense, with AJ Lopez being the lone exception. Lopez, who finished with a game-high 20 points, tried to keep the Spiders within striking distance, but it was a tall task against the Saint Louis defense. Will Harper III added 17 points for Richmond, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Billikens' balanced attack.
In the second half, Saint Louis continued to pull away, outscoring Richmond 45-41. The Billikens' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Thames and Avila leading the charge. McCottry also made his presence felt, using his athleticism to finish at the rim and grab rebounds on both ends of the floor.
The win improves Saint Louis' record to 20-1, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the country. The Billikens' net ranking of 18 reflects their impressive resume, which now includes a Quad 3 win over Richmond. For the Spiders, the loss drops their record to 13-9, but they can take solace in the fact that this was a Quad 1 game, which will still hold value when it comes to tournament selection time.
While Richmond's tournament chances may have taken a hit, the Spiders can still point to this game as a valuable learning experience. Lopez's performance was a bright spot, and he want to build on this outing as Richmond navigates the rest of its schedule. For Saint Louis, this win is just another notch in their belt as they continue to make a case for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The convincing win over Richmond is a reflection of Saint Louis' depth and talent. With multiple players capable of scoring in double figures, the Billikens are a formidable opponent for anyone on their schedule. As they look to continue their winning ways, Saint Louis will rely on the balanced attack that has carried them to this point. With a strong resume and a high net ranking, the Billikens are poised to make a deep run in the tournament, and this win over Richmond only adds to their momentum.