St. Louis Sports Online


Men's Basketball
University of Portland at St. Louis University 3 December 2011
Saint Louis University Billikens (7-1), AP #23//ESPN/USA #25, won easily by the score of 73-53 over the University of Portland Pilots (3-5) at the Chaifetz Arena (reported attendance = 7,087). The Billikens took a 38-16 halftime lead behind the efforts of sophomore guard Mike McCall, Jr and senior forward Brian Conklin. SLU never trailed in the game. The Billikens were led by senior forward Brian Conklin (19 pts, 5 rebounds), junior forward Cody Ellis (16 pts, 1 blocked shot), senior guard Kyle Cassity (10 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), and sophomore guard Mike McCall (10 pts, 2 assists). The Pilots were led by freshman center Thomas van der Mars (12 pts, 4 rebounds), sophomore forward Ryan Nicholas (11 pts, 4 rebounds), sophomore guard Tanner Riley (11 pts), and sophomore guard Tim Douglas (10 pts, 3 assists). Saint Louis shot 52% from the field (41% [7-17] from 3-pt range) and 73% (16-22) from the charity line. Portland shot 47% from the field (33% [3-9] from 3-pt range) and 59% (10-17) from the charity line. The Billikens had 30 rebounds (11O, 19D), 13 assists, 7 steals, 3 blocked shots, and 11 turnovers as compared with 23 rebounds (8O, 15D), 7 assists, 4 steals, 1 blocked shot, and 16 turnovers by the Pilots.

A Few New Faces of Billikens Basketball

SLU senior forward Brian Conklin (14) led all scorers with 19 points to go with 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers.

Billikens junior forward Cody Ellis (24) fights inside of Pilots sophomore forward Ryan Nicholas (32). Ellis finished the game with 16 points, 1 rebound, and 1 blocked shot.

SLU senior guard Kyle Cassity (23) defends Portland guard Nemanja Mitrovic (33). Cassity collected 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, and 1 blocked shot. Mitrovic was held to 2 points and 3 rebounds.

Pilots freshman center Thomas van der Mars (12) goes to the basket between Billikens sophomore guard Dwayne Evans (21) and freshman center John Manning (54). Mars finished the game with 12 points and 4 rebounds. Evans scored 7 points to go with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 turnover.

SLU sophomore guard Jordair Jett (5) finished the game with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot and 2 steals.

Billikens junior guard Kwamain Mitchell (3) defends against Pilots junior guard Derrick Rodgers (15). Mitchell finished with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 4 turnovers.

You may notice some "new" coaching faces on the sidelines working with Rick Majerus.

Veteran head coaches Jim Crews (University of Evansville, US MIlitary Academy/Army) and Jim Whitesell (Loyola University) are first year assistant coaches seated to the left and right, respectively, of assistant coach Chris Harriman.


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