Thrilling College Basketball Matchup
In a thrilling college basketball matchup, No. 19 Saint Louis extended its winning streak to 16 games with a 91-82 victory over Davidson on Tuesday night in Davidson, North Carolina. Brady Dunlap showcased an impressive performance, netting a career-best 22 points while converting all six of his attempts from beyond the arc. The victory moves the Billikens to 22-1 for the season and maintains their perfect record in the Atlantic 10 Conference at 10-0.
Comeback and Key Performances
Despite facing a 13-point deficit in the first half, Saint Louis mounted a comeback fueled by their strong shooting and aggressive play. Notably, Robbie Avila contributed 17 points and Amari McCottrey tallied 14 points along with nine rebounds. The Billikens are now closing in on their longest winning streak of 19 games, a record they set during the 2013-14 season.
Game Highlights
Davidson, playing in front of its home crowd at Belk Arena for the first time since 2018 against a ranked opponent, initially controlled the game, taking a substantial 46-33 lead in the first half. The Wildcats shot well, making 16 of 30 field goals, including hitting 7 of 13 from three-point range. However, Saint Louis finished the half strong, closing with an 8-0 run that narrowed the gap significantly, highlighted by Dunlap’s three-pointer just before halftime.
Second Half Momentum Shift
Entering the second half, the momentum shifted decisively toward the Billikens. Dunlap’s three-pointer early in the half propelled them into the lead, and they quickly built a double-digit advantage through effective inside-outside scoring. While Davidson attempted to fight back, including a brief run led by Parker Friedrichsen, who scored five consecutive points, the Billikens maintained control. Avila’s impressive drive and subsequent three-point play solidified Saint Louis’s lead as they pulled ahead by 12 points with under three minutes remaining.
Final Thoughts
Davidson finished the game shooting 47% from downtown in the first half but saw their efficiency dip to just 21% in the second half, hampering their chances to mount a complete comeback. As the season progresses, Saint Louis is set to host La Salle on Saturday, while Davidson will face Loyola Chicago at home on Friday evening.
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