ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis shot a season-high 60.9 percent from the field in a 78-66 triumph over IPFW tonight in a non-conference men's basketball game at Savvis Center. Ian Vouyoukas and Luke Meyer each posted career high point totals with 18 and 14 points, respectively, as the Bills snapped a three-game home court losing streak.

"I don't see much difference in the quality of shots that we're making now as opposed to earlier in the year when we were missing them," Billikens head coach Brad Soderberg said. "It helps when Ian is getting those shots close to the basket and knocking them down."

As has been their custom throughout the season, the Billikens couldn't enjoy prosperity in the first half. SLU built a 27-18 lead with 7:44 to play in the half after senior forward Luke Meyer. But SLU could only score two points from the free throw line in the final 4:49 as IPFW closed the half with a 9-2 run to pull within 34-33 at the break. IPFW's Malone knocked down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc as the Mastadons connected on 67 percent (6-9) from deep in the opening session.

The Billikens came out of the locker room with a surge of energy and quickly bolted to a 48-40 lead as Vouyoukas had eight points in the rally. After Meyer buried a trey from the left corner, the Billikens had a comfortable 59-43 lead with 9:30 remaining. But the Mastodons wouldn't quit, kept raining threeballs over the Bills' defense and eventually closed to within 72-64 on guard Beau Bauer's triple at the 1:59 mark. SLU made only 4-of-10 free throws after that, but still managed to close out the game.

IPFW (5-20) has now lost 20 games for five straight seasons. Senior center David Simon led four Mastodons in double figures with 15 points. Campbell added 14 points, while Malone and Bauer each chipped in with 13. Simon collected a game-high eight boards, but IPFW lost the battle on the glass 32-19. IPFW shot 49 percent from the floor, 61.1 percent from the arc and 70 percent from the free throw line.

Ohanon topped four Bills in double figures with 20 points, and Dwayne Polk finished with 10. Meyer added a game-high five assists to the Bills' total of 19. SLU had 10 steals as the Bills forced 15 IPFW turnovers.

The Billikens (7-17 overall, 4-7 C-USA) return to Conference USA action on Sun., Feb. 20, when the Billikens face ninth-ranked Louisville at Freedom Hall.