Saint Louis 59, La Salle 51

Feb 11, 2012, 05:13 pm

PHILADELPHIA -- Dwayne Evans scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Saint Louis defeated La Salle 59-51 Saturday, ending the Explorers' 14-game Tom Gola Arena winning streak.

With the game tied 47-47, Mike McCall Jr.'s 3-pointer for the Billikens (20-5, 8-3 Atlantic 10 Conference) began a 12-4 closing run over the final 4:45. McCall scored six of Saint Louis' points in that stretch, and his steal with 23 seconds left led to two free throws by Kwamain Mitchell that made it 56-49.

Mitchell finished with 12 points for the Billikens, while McCall had 11 and Brian Conklin 10.

Jerrell Wright scored 18 points to pace the Explorers (17-9, 6-5), including 15 in the second half.

Saint Louis led nearly throughout the game, with the Explorers never ahead by more than two points.

La Salle's streak at Gola Arena had included 12 victories this season.