By Chris Ackels
Billiken Media Relations
ST. LOUIS - After a moment of silence to honor late coach Rick Majerus, a near-sellout crowd at Chaifetz Arena began an impromptu standing ovation that lasted nearly a full minute.
And after the standing ovation, the Billikens played a game that would make the old coach proud.
Dwayne Evans scored 17 points to lead the Billikens to a 62-49 victory over Valparaiso on Sunday. Jordair Jett added 14 points and a team-high six rebounds as Saint Louis improved to 4-3 on the season.
"I can't think of a better tribute [to Coach Majerus] than to get a win," Evans said after the game.
Majerus passed away Saturday in Los Angeles. His illustrious 25-year coaching career included stints at Marquette, Ball State, Utah, and Saint Louis, and a lifetime record of 517-216. During his five seasons at Saint Louis University, Majerus posted a 95-69 record and put Billiken basketball back on the map by bringing the team to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2000.
"We knew he wasn't very healthy, but it was still a shock to hear it yesterday," senior forward Cody Ellis said. "But it brought us together as a team. I think it helped us regroup... we came out today to play for him."
This particular win had Majerus' fingerprints all over it. It was the second time this season the Billikens held an opponent to under 50 points. The Billikens forced a slow-paced, deliberate style of play that Majerus taught for five years. They caused two shot clock violations in a span of six minutes, forced 18 turnovers, and got to the free throw line a season-high 27 times.
Evans led the team in scoring for the fourth time this season. The Billikens have won all four of those games, and lost any game he was not the scoring leader. He was 5-for-6 from the field and perfect in seven trips to the free throw line.
Jett's 14 points tied a season high for the junior guard. He played 35 minutes, and appears to be back to full strength after missing two games with a groin injury. Mike McCall notched 10 points, while Cory Remekun registered three blocks, upping his season total to 10.
"You can pick out any guy and say they made a difference," interim head coach Jim Crews said. "I felt our guys, the starters and the guys off the bench, did a great job."
SLU used a 10-0 run late in the first half to take a 25-19 lead, then another 10-0 run midway through the second half to extend the lead to 45-31. Valparaiso (5-2) threatened late, but Saint Louis sealed the deal with seven free throws in the final three minutes.
"It was an emotional day today," Crews said. "He's been a father figure to many of these young guys. It hurts. I love Rick."
Crews was brought on by Majerus last season as an assistant coach. The two first met in 1994, coaching for the U.S. National Team under Don Nelson.
"Nobody loved basketball and teaching kids more than Rick. I'm really going to miss him."
Saint Louis University will hold a memorial service for Rick Majerus on Friday, December 7, at 3:30 p.m.
