ST. LOUIS – Jordan Goodwin and Demarius Jacobs combined for 42 points, and Saint Louis held off a late Valparaiso challenge to claim an 81-70 victory Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena.
 
Goodwin tied for game-high honors with 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting. He also collected game highs of nine rebounds (five offensive), six assists and three steals.
 
Jacobs tossed in a career-high 20 points, hitting 5-of-8 from the floor (2-of-3 from 3-point range) and 8-of-11 from the foul line.
 
Yuri Collins contributed nine points, six rebounds and five assists, KC Hankton had eight points and three steals, and Hasahn French grabbed eight rebounds as the Billikens out-rebounded the Crusaders 40-33.
 
Valparaiso narrowed a 13-point Saint Louis lead to one, 66-65, with 6:52 left.
 
It was 70-68 Billikens with 5:19 to play and it stayed that way until Jacobs sank two free throws at the 3:40 mark, triggering a game-ending 11-2 run.
 
There were six ties and eight lead changes in the first half. Goodwin's short jumper with 9:04 remaining put Saint Louis (2-0) in front for good, and the Billikens outscored the Crusaders 23-10 to take a 44-33 advantage into the break.
 
Daniel Sackey scored a career-high 22 points and Javon Freeman-Liberty added 19 for Valparaiso (1-1).
 
Up next for the Billikens is Eastern Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Tip time at Chaifetz Arena is 7 p.m. The game will be televised on FOX Sports Midwest.