The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team started its season with an impressive four straight wins, leaving them undefeated going into their upcoming game against Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Before the official start of their season, the Billikens traveled to Bradley University for an exhibition match. After the 2024-2025 season ended with a first-round exit in the National Invitation Tournament, SLU proved eager to flip the narrative early in the season this year.
Rather than the usual two 20-minute halves that are usually played in a men’s college basketball game, the exhibition game consisted of five periods lasting 10 minutes each. Throughout this extended play time, SLU was able to capitalize on the lead they built in the first period, thanks to eight different players sinking three-pointers over the course of the game.
The game ended in favor of the Billikens with a final score of 98-77, giving the team a renewed sense of confidence going into their home opener against Southeast Missouri State.
SLU hosted SEMO for the home opener on Nov. 3 at Chaifetz Arena. As the first official game of the season, fans knew before entering the arena that they were in for an action-packed game.
Fans watched the lead change five times within the first half alone before the Billikens responded with a 16-2 scoring run in the second half to take command of the game. SLU ended the first half up by nine points, later clinching the win with a 25-point lead and a final score of 92-67. Top scorers of the game included Robbie Avila with 18, Amari McCottry with 16 and Kellen Thames with 12.
Three days later, SLU hosted Chicago State University at home for their second game of the season.
The teams stayed together through the start of the first half before SLU gained momentum and closed the half with a 51-40 lead. The Billikens extended their lead in the second half after a 22-point run scoring streak that was unanswered by the Cougars. SLU had earned a 108-86 victory by the time the final buzzer sounded, made possible by top scorers Ishan Sharma recording 16 and Thames and Avila accounting for 15 each.
Following a weekend without a game, the Billikens were back at it on a Monday night, once again with home court advantage. The Lindenwood Lions made the trek from St. Charles into the city to take on SLU in another intrastate matchup.
The Billikens came out ready to play, outscoring the Lions 43-27 in the first half. McCottry dominated the game, scoring 23 points for the team, followed by Dion Brown with 17 and Sharma with 16. SLU controlled the rest of the game, closing out the second half with a final score of 109-66.
These two high-scoring games marked the first time in program history that SLU has recorded 100 or more points in back-to-back games.
The last face-off in the four-game win streak was Grand Canyon University, arguably the most difficult opponent SLU has faced thus far.
The Billikens fought to end the half with a 9-point lead, going into the break at 38-29. Although SLU came out slow to start the second half, they eventually responded to GCU’s 7-0 run with a 13-0 run of their own, allowing them to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game. McCottry, Avila and Sharma headlined the scoring stats for their team, tallying 20, 14 and 8, respectively. SLU claimed their fourth consecutive win with this 78-64 triumph over GCU.
“I mean, this [game] today was a step up in the competition. I think it’s all about preparation for every game. So we’re going to go ahead and learn from this and continue to do the same thing that’s been helping us win, that’s getting back to work in practice,” said Avila.
SLU has shown that they have the energy to see games through until the end and the drive to continue earning wins, but the Billikens have yet to play an away game, nor have they competed against a team in their own conference.
SLU’s Atlantic 10 opponents have given the team trouble and handed them losses in past seasons, which is something the Billikens are looking to avoid if they want to win the A-10 title this year. The first step to clean up their game in preparation for conference rivalries is to limit the number of turnovers during games.
McCottry addressed the team’s strategy to avoid giving up possession of the ball in upcoming games.
“Just making simple plays. He [Head Coach Schertz] harped on that. Every day in practice, in games even, we just have to take our time, make the simple plays,” McCottry said.
The Billikens’ next game is at home against Purdue University Fort Wayne on Nov. 21, followed closely by their first away game at Santa Clara University on Nov. 27. SLU starts A-10 conference play on Dec. 31, which will prove to be the biggest determinant of how far into the postseason their grit and dedication will carry them.