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Terrence Hargrove Jr.’s offensive rebound and dunk with 47 seconds left put Saint Louis in front for good, and the Billikens held on for a 71-68 victory over Hofstra Saturday afternoon at Chaifetz Arena.
The Billikens (6-5) snapped a three-game losing streak with the win, while Hofstra of the Coastal Athletic Association slipped to 6-3.
Hargrove (19, 7-of-10 FG), Gibson Jimerson (21) and Tim Dalger (season-high 20) combined for 60 of SLU’s 71 points. Jimerson and Dalger scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, in the second half.
Dalger added a career-high five assists. Cian Medley contributed career bests of eight rebounds (team high) and five assists to go with a game-high three steals, and Hargrove grabbed seven rebounds.
The Billikens connected on a season-high 13 3-pointers (13-of-29, 44.8 percent), including 8-of-14 (57.1 percent) following intermission. Jimerson equaled his season high of five treys (5-of-11), while Dalger (season high) and Hargrove (3-of-4) had three apiece.
SLU committed two more turnovers than Hofstra but outscored the Pride 18-10 in points off turnovers.
Hargrove’s dunk was the 13th lead change of the second half, nine of which occurred in the final 6:05.
SLU erased a 55-50 deficit with an 8-2 run. Dalger and Hargrove connected from the arc on consecutive possessions, and Jimerson sank two from the foul line for a 58-57 Billiken lead at the 6:05 mark.
That began the back-and-forth during which neither team led by more than two points.
Following Hargrove’s putback flush, Hofstra misfired twice but rebounded both misses. However, Hargrove made a steal to deny the Pride a third chance, and Jimerson made one of two from the stripe seconds later for a 70-68 Saint Louis lead with 10 ticks left.
Hargrove produced another theft on Hofstra’s next possession, was fouled and converted one of two free throws to leave the door open. But the Pride were unable to launch a potential game-tying shot.
Hofstra led for most of the first half and earned the game’s largest advantage, 27-16, with 6:46 left. A 13-2 Saint Louis spurt, including triples by Dalger, Hargrove and Medley, tied it at 29 before two late free throws gave Hofstra a 31-29 edge at the break.
After taking a break for final exams, the Billikens host Louisiana Tech Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.
