Nov. 14, 1999

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University senior guard Justin Love threw in 28 points to lift the Billikens past Alabama 78-70 at the Earth Grains Classic tonight at Kiel Center. Junior center Chris Heinrich added his second career double-double with 11 points and 10 boards as the Bills won their second straight for first-year head coach Lorenzo Romar.

Much like their opening night victory over Air Force, the Billikens raced out to an early lead 17-7. Alabama climbed back into the game on the jump shooting of forward Rod Grizzard and the foul trouble on the Billiken big men. When junior forward Matt Baniak had to go to the bench with his second personal foul just 2:07 into the game, it gave Justin Tatum a chance to make a major contribution, and he responded with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Alabama took its only lead of the game at 31-29 with 5:40 remaining in the half, but the Bills closed with an 11-4 run to take a 40-35 halftime advantage. Newcomers Maurice Jeffers and Marque Perry combined for seven points in the rally.

The Billikens widened the lead to 14 on a Heinrich lay-up with 15:56 to play and maintained a double-digit lead until they led by 11 with 4:45 remaining. The Crimson Tide began to make its move, and the Billikens opening the door by shooting only 19-of-31 from the free throw line.

A pair of Schea Cotton free throws pulled the Tide within five at the 2:09 mark, and a Billiken turnover heightened the drama. But Love turned to defense and drew a charge on Cotton. The Bills knocked down five of six free throws in the final 39 seconds to secure the victory.

Losing a comfortable lead in the late going and ultimately losing the game was a familiar routine during the 1998-99 season, but was not to be replayed in this instance. "It was going through my head," Love said. "Don't tell me this is last year all over again."

"I don't know if they were thinking about last year," Romar said. "But I know we've allowed teams to get back in the game this season. They kept getting the lead down to three or four, but couldn't get any farther. Our guys were resilient in the defensive end, and they wouldn't let them get over the hump. I was impressed with the guys down the stretch, with how they moved the ball and how they used the clock."

Love has been sensational in the first two games by averaging 27.5 ppg, 5.0 apg and 7.5 apg while shooting 58.6 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three. "I know 'Spoon' (former head coach Charlie Spoonhour), told all of you last year that you weren't seeing the real Justin Love," Romar said. "I think this is what he was talking about."

Love was keeping a low profile. "I had some opportunities to score," he said. "If I saw an opportunity, I went for it. I was able to take what the defense game me."

With John Redden sidelined by a broken foot, senior guard Dave Fergerson stepped into the starter's role and responded with 11 points and four assists. Perry, the freshman point guard from Chicago, also popped in six points along with another four assists.

Romar was equally impressed with his two point guards. "Both stepped up and met the challenge," he said. "They handled the offense well and pushed the ball when we needed to push it. John Redden was our starter, but I have all the confidence in the world in 'Ferg' and Marque."

The Billikens limited the Tide to 37.1 percent shooting and forced 17 Alabama turnovers. Jeffers spent most of his time guarding heralded Tide swingman Cotton, who finished with 11 points on 3-of7 from the field. "That was part of my job," Jeffers said. "I'm the chief defensive stopper. He didn't have a good night on Saturday, and I knew he would try to have a better game. I had to limit his touches and his points."

Back-up forward Kenny Walker led the Tide with 16 points, while Grizzard added 13. Alabama dropped to 0-2 after losing their opener to Northern Iowa.

Saint Louis (2-0) continues its four-game homestand to open the season by hosting UNC Asheville on Sun., Nov. 21, at 2:05 p.m. at Kiel.