WICHITA, Kan. – Saint Louis suffered an 81-52 defeat against No. 8/10 Wichita State Saturday at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan.

The Billikens fall to 5-3 on the season, while the Shockers improve to 5-1.

Freshman guard Marcus Bartley led the Billikens with a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He also recorded a career-best four steals. Freshman center Austin Gillmann also registered a career high with nine points thanks in part to two 3-pointers. Gillmann also secured a team-high four rebounds.

Wichita State, which shot 62.5 percent in the first half en route to a 25-point lead at the break, was led by Ron Baker's 18 points. Evan Wessel and Rauno Nurger scored 15 points apiece for the Shockers.

The Shockers led throughout. A Brett Jolly 3-pointer cut the SLU deficit to four with 14:52 to go in the first half, but WSU went on a 6-0 run to go up 10. An Austin McBroom free throw briefly brought the Billikens within single digits of the lead, but another 6-0 WSU rally gave the Shockers a double-digit advantage they would not relinquish.

Wichita State started the second half on a 13-0 run. Gillmann halted the scoring streak with a 3-pointer.

Midway through the second half, the Billikens put five freshmen to the floor at the same time for the first time this season. The SLU newcomers played well, powering SLU to a 12-3 run during a second-half stretch. l

The six Billiken freshmen scored 35 straight points in the game and 25 of the Billikens' 27 points in the second half.

Saint Louis returns to action Tuesday when it welcomes South Dakota State to Chaifetz Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. It will be televised on FOX Sports Midwest.