The No. 4 seed Saint Louis Billikens dominated the No. 13 seed New Mexico State Aggies and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in the Midwest Region Thursday afternoon, 64-44.
This game was all St. Louis. The Billikens scored the first basket of the game 1:39 into play and never gave up the lead. St. Louis outscored New Mexico State 11-2 from the 8:41 mark until 4:26 to go in the first half.
Although the Aggies cut the lead to six points with 13:54 to go in the second half, the Billikens answered by going on a 21-6 run that gave them a 21 point lead, their largest of the game.
Dwayne Evans led the Billikens with 24 points and six rebounds. He was 11-16 shooting from the floor. Cody Ellis added 12 points and Cory Remekun contributed 11 points.
Bandja Sy led the Aggies with 17 points. Sy also contributed nine rebounds. Saint Louis held New Mexico State to 27.9 percent from the floor and 2 of 16 from behind the arc. Seven foot five inch tall freshman center Sim Bhullar grabbed 11 rebounds and had three blocked shots but only contributed four points. The Aggies struggled from the line, making only 8 of 13 free throw attempts.
The win gives Saint Louis its 28th win of the season, a new school record.
Saint Louis will face the No. 12 seed Oregon Ducks on Saturday. The time is still to be determined. The Ducks upset the No. 5 seed Oklahoma State Cowboys Thursday, 68-55.
For more information, visit www.NCAA.com
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