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The Billikens outrun the Racers of Murray State

I’m not sure what I just watched in the Jewel of Midtown, but I liked it, and I want more.
The Grinch Billiken of the 1950s and 60s

I’m not sure what I just watched in the Jewel of Midtown, but I liked it, and I want more.

The defense showed up in the first half, but where was the offense? It was 16-3 Murray State, and the youthful Bobby Sitwell to my left, and the seasoned vet Stu Durando on my right both had the same feeling as me. “Well…this is gonna be a long 40 minutes of basketball.” But then, the motor and mouth of Javon Bess changed things.

During a 90 second time-out Coach Ford took the first 30 seconds and Bess took the final minute. What he said is not safe for you wonderful readers of KSDK.com, but as Jalen Johnson said, “It was a lot of motivation.”

Coach Ford’s take on Bess’s words. Ford said with a smirk and that half smile Kentucky boy grin, “There was a lot of yelling and screaming.”

Bess gave us the cleaned-up version and said, “I felt how the game was going and I didn’t want that…it was just ‘let’s get goin’.”

And they went.

After that 16-3 start by Murray State the St. Louis University Billikens outscored the Racers 66-39.

In the second half, the Lid came off the basket. SLU played its best half of offensive basketball this season. They poured in 41 off of 46.7% shooting and 75% from the line. If they average around those numbers every half this season to complement their relentless and smothering defense, this is a 20-win team that can be in the top half of the A-10.

Biggest Takeaways from the Victory

Hasahn French’s Low Post Game

French went to his off hand for a series of spins and finishes that were a welcome surprise addition to his now standard show stopping two handed throw downs. This kind of development after 10 games is a great sign that this kid’s ceiling is sky high. He added 4 blocks and was a non-stop force on both ends of the floor.

Jalen Johnson and the Rebound Chain

This was some sweet bling that Coach Ford brought to the game tonight. A studded out chain with a huge dye with a Billiken printed on it. Coach Ford created it for whoever led the team in rebounding. Johnson responded with a double-double, dropping 10 points and snatching 14 boards playing all 40 minutes.

Javon Bess might have to start paying rent at the free-throw line

He went 9-10 from the stripe to push his numbers to 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals. The effort marks is third 20 point game of the season. His motor, his passion, and “lot’s of motivation” revved the engine of the Bills, and led them to a much needed W.

Up next are the Beavers of Oregon State as the Bills head out west. If the offense and intensity of the 2nd half show up on 16th, the fine fellows of Corvallis will have a long long night on the hardwood.

Until then, long live the rebound chain.

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