SLU Working to Improve

(St. Louis, MO) – It seems like every game at Chaifetz Arena is a test of character. Saint Louis U has struggled to score, so they grind away at the visiting team and a test of wills ensues.

Prior to the SIUC game, they averaged 67.6 points per game and allowed 66.6. The Bills turn the ball over 15 times per game and force 14 TO’s. It is a grind, but Jim Crews’ team does not back down, nor do they give up.

SLU trailed mightily against Indiana State and through sheer willpower made a game of it.

Against Southern Illinois the Bills couldn’t buy a basket but somehow hung close with the 11-2 Salukis. They shut down SIU’s leading scorer Anthony Beane and forced the Salukis into a season low 65 points and yet dropped their third straight game (65-52) and their sixth in their last seven contests.

SLU finished their longest home stand of the year with a 1-5 performance. All five losses came to Ohio Valley and Missouri Valley schools.

Crews says he admires how his team continues to compete during a difficult stretch.

 

After Davell Roby led the team with 19 points in Saturday’s loss, he led SLU with 14 points, 10 coming in the first half, and maybe wore down in the second half because he did most of the stellar defensive work on SIU star Anthony Beane.

Crews says Roby is one of the players that is continuing to improve. He and others are staying after practice, working on their games and looking for answers.

The tough luck Billikens don’t play again until after Christmas. They travel to Manhattan, Kansas for a game with Kansas State on the 29th before beginning the rigorous Atlantic Ten schedule after the turn of the year.

Do Good

 

(featured image courtesy of www.slubillikens.com)