Saint Louis’ Gibson Jimerson scored 22 points, Javon Pickett added 20 and Yuri Collins distributed 15 assists to just one turnover in an 83-78 Billiken win over Saint Joseph’s Saturday at Hagan Arena in the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both squads.
Saint Louis improved to 9-5 overall and 1-0 in the A-10 with the win, while Saint Joseph’s fell to 6-7 and 0-1.
Jimerson’s season-high 22 points came on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. He buried three 3-pointers as well. Pickett scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half and was 7-of-8 from the foul line in the second session.
Collins registered his 700th career assist as part of his 15-assist outing. He is now one of just five players in A-10 history to record 700 or more assists in a career. Collins also led the Billikens with seven rebounds and three steals.
Jake Forrester contributed 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field. He was especially in the second half when he scored nine points on 3-of-4 shooting in the frame.
Terrence Hargove Jr. contributed nine points and five rebounds. Larry Hughes Jr. hit both of his shots from the field, including a 3-pointer, to finish with five points.
The Billikens shot 52.5 percent from the field in the game, which including a 60.7 percent mark in the first half. Yet, the Billikens only led by three at the break, 42-39. Saint Joseph’s tied the game twice in the second session, but SLU was able to get the lead back right away.
Saint Joseph’s tried to claw back after pulling to within four very late in the game, but the Billikens withstood the rally to post the key road win to open conference play.
The Billikens play another A-10 road game on Wednesday night when they head to Amherst, Mass., to face the UMass Minutemen. Game time at the Mullins Center is slated for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN+.
