Davell Roby scored a season-high 17 points, but Saint Louis dropped a 77-58 decision to Houston Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena.
Javon Bess tallied 14 points for the Billikens, who fell to 4-5. Jordan Goodwin had game highs of six assists and three steals and tied Bess for the team rebounding lead (five).
Roby was 7-of-8 from the foul line, recording season highs for makes and attempts. SLU’s totals of 20 made free throws and 29 attempts were team season bests.
Houston (8-1) also was prolific at the stripe, going 29-of-35. Leading the Cougars was Rob Gray, who was 13-of-13 in a game-high 24-point effort. Gray and Breaon Brady tied for game-high rebounding honors with six boards apiece.
Devin Davis was 7-of-8 from the floor and finished with 17 points.
A Bess 3-pointer and buckets by Hasahn French and Roby gave the Billikens a 7-2 lead at the first media timeout.
After Houston scored seven straight points for a 9-7 advantage, SLU tied it on Rashed Anthony’s layup and took a 12-9 lead on a Goodwin trey. A three-point play by D.J. Foreman put the Billikens on top 15-9.
It was 20-14 Saint Louis following an Aaron Hines triple at the 8-minute mark, but Houston caught fire on its next possession. The Cougars finished the half with a 22-6 run and carried a 36-26 lead to the locker room.
Houston expanded the margin to 14 points early in the second half, and SLU drew no closer than 12 the rest of the way.
Up next for the Billikens is Murray State, which comes to Chaifetz Arena Tuesday, Dec. 12, for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Midwest.
