ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis (17-5, 5-3 Atlantic 10) erased a two-point halftime deficit with a 21-2 run over 6:37 in the second half to snap St. Bonaventure’s (12-8, 5-3) three-game conference win streak with an 86-62 victory at Chaifetz Arena on Wednesday.
The Bonnies played all but 10 minutes without leading scorer Andrew Nicholson, who fouled out with 5:34 to play. Nicholson picked up his first two in the opening 57 seconds, and was later charged with his third and fourth on the same play in the second half after a technical followed the initial call.
Demitrius Conger scored 11 of his team-high 13 in the first half to stake the Bonnies to a 38-36 advantage at the break, as SBU shot 52.4 percent (11-21) in the opening stanza to outpace the Billikens.
Leading 42-40 three minutes into the second half, the Billikens took advantage of a four-point play on a barrage of free throws to spark a 10-0 run. Saint Louis earned a shooting foul and also added two more after Da’Quan Cook was charged with another technical.
Cook finished with 12 points on 5-of-6 from the field, while Charlon Kloof was one off his career-high with 11. Kwamain Mitchell guided the Billikens with 22 points, while Brian Conklin scored his 1,000th career point and tallied 19.
The Billikens rattled off eight of their 10 from the stripe during the first run, before the Bonnies closed the gap with a quick 7-2 surge that trimmed the lead to 54-51. Saint Louis pulled away for good, aided by 10 SBU turnovers in the final 20 minutes en route to a 50-24 differential after halftime.
The Bonnies will enjoy their weekend bye and will return to action next Wednesday at Massachusetts in the back end of a doubleheader with the women’s team.
NOTES: 44 fouls were called in the game … Nicholson fouled out for the third straight game … the loss knocks the Bonnies (5-3) into second place in the A-10 standings … Eric Mosely posted a team-high four assists … every dressed Bona player logged game action.
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