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Junior guard Javon Bess pumped in a game-high 20 points to lead Saint Louis to a 75-65 win over Dayton Saturday in Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball action at Chaifetz Arena.
The win improves the Billikens’ record to 11-11 overall and 4-5 in A-10 play. Dayton dips to 10-11 and 4-5 in the league.
SLU’s win snapped a seven-game Dayton winning streak in the series. It was SLU’s first win against the Flyers since Jan. 11, 2014.
Bess’ 20 points came on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, 3-of-4 from the arc and 3-of-4 from the stripe. He also dished out four assists and did not commit a turnover.
Sophomore forward Jalen Johnson had a big game, going for 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor and 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
Also scoring in double figures was senior guard Davell Roby, who went 8-of-11 from the charity stripe to help account for 14 points.
Saint Louis committed a season-low five turnovers, which included one team turnover as SLU held the ball for a shot clock violation as time was expiring.
The Billikens shot 44.2 percent from the field (23-52), 50 percent from 3-point range (8-19) and 80 percent from the line (20-25).
Dayton led by as much as 10 points midway through the first half before the Billikens rallied to take a six point lead into halftime.
The Flyers quickly tied the score with a 6-0 run to start the second session, but SLU never trailed in the second half.
An 11-0 SLU run late in the second half stretched the Billiken lead to 54-53 to 65-53, and SLU never looked back.
The Billikens return to action Wednesday when they travel to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph’s. Game time at Hagan Arena is 6 p.m. (CT).
