Box Score Game Box (pdf)
ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Wofford men's basketball team was defeated 66-52 by Saint Louis University on Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena. The Billikens jumped out to a twenty point lead in the first half, but Wofford made it a five point game in the middle of the second half. Saint Louis closed the game on an 11-4 run for the win.
Wofford is 3-6 on the season. Saint Louis is 9-2 and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll after reaching the third round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. The Terriers were led by Spencer Collins with 17 points, while Jaylen Allen and C.J. Neumann each added nine points. Jordair Jett scored 16 points for the Billikens and Rob Loe added 14 points.
"They start four seniors and are awfully good," said head coach Mike Young. "I thought we mishandled some things. We had a chance to make it more interesting and I think I botched a couple of things and I take responsibility. Karl Cochran did a nice job defending Jordair Jett and defensively we played well as a team. It does not get any easier next Tuesday against VCU."
The Billikens scored the first seven points of the game, but Wofford answered with a jumper by Spencer Collins and a three by Jaylen Allen for a 7-5 score after three minutes of play. Saint Louis pushed the lead to 14-5 with 12:52 on the clock before Spencer Collins added a jumper for a 14-7 score. A three by Jordair Jett gave the Billikens a 21-7 lead at the ten minute mark. After a shot by Spencer Collins, Saint Louis went on an 8-0 run for a 29-9 score with 7:53 on the clock.
A jumper by Justin Gordon and a three by Spencer Collins cut the lead to 29-14 less than a minute later. Wofford made it a 30-17 game at the 5:53 mark of the first half. Back-to-back threes by Jaylen Allen and Karl Cochran made it a 33-25 game with 2:45 remaining. The Billikens added two free throws and Justin Gordon had a jumper for a 35-27 score at the half.
Indiana Faithfull had a basket and free throw to open the second half for a 35-30 score. After the first five minutes, the Billikens had a 43-32 advantage. Four straight points by Wofford made it 43-36 score at the 13:45 mark. Lee Skinner's lay-up with 13:06 on the clock cut the lead to 45-38. A three pointer by Jaylen Allen made it a 46-41 score.
With 8:44 left in the second half, C.J. Neumann hit a pair of free throws for a 51-45 game. After the Billikens hit a three, C.J. Neumann answered with a three from the corner for a 55-48 score with 6:30 on the clock. Saint Louis pushed the lead back to 62-50 with three minutes left in the half. A three pointer made it a 66-50 score at the 1:30 mark. C.J. Neumann scored the final two points of the game on a dunk with three seconds left for the 66-52 final score.
Wofford shot 42.2% from the floor while Saint Louis shot 47.7% overall. The Terriers were 6-of-11 from with three, while the Billikens were 5-of-18 from behind the arc. Saint Louis was 19-of-28 from the line while Wofford was 8-of-10 on free throws. Saint Louis had a 34 to 23 lead on the glass. The Billikens blocked six shots, while the Terriers had ten steals. Eric Garcia missed the game due to a concussion suffered in practice earlier in the week.
Wofford will continue the three-game road trip on Tuesday night at Virginia Commonwealth at 7:00 p.m. The Rams will be the second straight Atlantic 10 opponent for the Terriers.
