Saint Louis University confirmed its status as a national contender by dismantling in-state rival Missouri 90-84 in the Show Me Showdown on Friday. The Billikens, who burst onto the scene last season with a 24-1 start and an NCAA Tournament victory, faced their toughest test yet against a ranked opponent. Head coach Josh Schertz, who built one of the most entertaining teams in the country last year, guided his squad to a decisive victory, proving that their previous success was no fluke. The win solidifies Saint Louis’ position as a team that can handle high-pressure environments against elite competition.
Billikens dominate in-state rival as Schertz’s squad proves they belong in the big time
The game’s tone was set immediately by the “Atlantic-10 Splash Bros,” who refused to let the magnitude of the matchup intimidate them. After a brief 3-0 lead by Mizzou, Ishan Sharma buried a three-pointer to create a four-point play, followed quickly by a Trey Green three before Missouri head coach Dennis Gates could call his first timeout. By the time Gates gathered his team, the Billikens had already established an eight-point lead. This early surge allowed Saint Louis to control the pace and maintain offensive momentum throughout the first half, entering the break with a commanding advantage.
Schertz emphasized the mental fortitude required for such a matchup, stating, “In these games, you got to believe you belong. You can’t look at yourself as some sort of ‘lesser than.'” The Billikens executed this mindset perfectly, leveraging their returners and deep bench to outplay the Tigers. The 90-84 final score reflects not just a win, but a statement of intent from a program that has redefined expectations in the Atlantic-10. With this performance, Saint Louis has signaled to the rest of the country that they are ready for the next level of competition.
Source: Yahoo Sports
