ST. LOUIS –
Hasahn French turned in career highs of 24 rebounds and seven blocks to go with a season-high 21 points, and Saint Louis held off Belmont 60-55 Saturday afternoon at Chaifetz Arena.
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In addition to matching the season high by an NCAA Division I player, French's 24 boards tied the Atlantic 10 Conference record, tied the third-highest total in Saint Louis history and set a Chaifetz Arena record. His seven rejections tied for the second most in Billiken annals and equaled the Chaifetz Arena mark.
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In addition, French registered the first 20-point, 20-rebound game by a Billiken since
Anthony Bonner's 45-point, 20-rebound performance vs. Loyola Chicago on March 1, 1990.
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Jordan Goodwin tallied 13 points and a season-high 13 rebounds as the Billikens (5-1) grabbed a Chaifetz Arena-record 60 boards and out-rebounded Belmont (4-2) 60-38. The Bills' season-high 22 offensive boards included nine by French and five by Goodwin.
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Javonte Perkins tossed in 10 points, while French and
Yuri Collins chalked up a game-high four assists apiece. French's four helpers tied his career best.
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Grayson Murphy led Ohio Valley Conference member Belmont with 17 points and nine rebounds. Saint Louis held the Bruins to seven 3-pointers (7-of-24); Belmont came in averaging 11.8, tied for fifth in the nation.
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Goodwin collected an offensive rebound and scored on SLU's initial second-half possession to give the Billikens a 28-27 edge. It was the first of nine lead changes following intermission.
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Neither team led by more than four points until the final score. Two Tate Pierson free throws put Belmont on top 55-51 with 4:38 to play, but Saint Louis finished the game on a 9-0 run.
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French tied it at 55 with a bucket at the 2:59 mark before giving the Billikens a 58-55 advantage by converting three of four from the line on SLU's next two possessions.
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After the teams traded empty possessions, offensive rebounds following misses of a free throw and a short jumper gave Belmont a final chance. But a 3-point attempt was off the mark, and Goodwin grabbed the rebound and sank two free throws with less than a second remaining.
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Belmont hit a 3-pointer on its second possession of the game and stretched the lead to 14-7 with 11:00 remaining.
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Saint Louis answered with a 9-1 run, punctuated by a Collins layup that put the Billikens in front 16-15 at the 7:21 mark. There were six ties and five lead swaps the rest of the half, which ended with Belmont clinging to a 27-26 lead.
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The Billikens play their first road game of the season Wednesday, Nov. 27, against Boston College. Tip time is 1 p.m. (CST), and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.