DAYTON, Ohio – Jordan Goodwin led a furious Billikens rally in the second half, but No. 6 Dayton withstood the charge and defeated Saint Louis 71-65 on Saturday at UD Arena.
 
The Billikens fall to 17-7 overall and 6-5 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Dayton has won 12 in a row and improves to 21-2 and 10-0 in the league.
 
Goodwin led the Billikens with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range. He was 5-of-8 for 11 points in the second half alone.
 
Hasahn French scored nine of his 15 points in the second half. Javonte Perkins and Demarius Jacobs finished with nine points apiece. Jimmy Bell Jr. finished with eight rebounds to tie French for team-high honors.
 
Dayton jumped out to an early lead and didn't trail in the first half. The Flyers took an eight-point lead (39-31) into halftime.
 
The Billikens were sharp in the second half. A French traditional 3-point play pulled SLU to within three at the 15:38 mark.
 
A French dunk and a Perkins jumper gave SLU its first lead of the game at the 13:02 mark of the second half. Dayton responded, and Perkins again gave SLU the lead at 49-48, but that is as close as the Billikens would get.
 
Goodwin made it interesting late, scoring nine points with less than three minutes to go, but SLU was unable to break through as Dayton hit its free throws in the final minute.
 
The Billikens are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 15, when they host La Salle at Chaifetz Arena. Game time is 1:30 p.m.