FRISCO, Texas – Saint Louis saw its season come to a close on Saturday after a 74-68 loss to Mississippi State in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).

The Billikens conclude the year at 14-7. Mississippi State improves to 16-14 advances to the NIT quarterfinals to face Richmond on Thursday.

Javonte Perkins led the Billikens with 21 points, which included 12 points in the second half.

The senior duo of Hasahn French and Jordan Goodwin both had impressive outings in perhaps their final appearances in a Billiken uniform. French registered a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. He also posted three assists, three steals and four blocked shots. Goodwin had 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and six steals.

Terrence Hargrove Jr. scored 10 points for SLU.

The Billikens led by five points a minute into the contest, but that is as large of a lead they would have in the game.

Mississippi State shot 50 percent from the field. D.J. Stewart Jr. scored 20 points to lead the Bulldogs, followed by Iverson Molinar's 19 points.

SLU trailed by seven at halftime, but picked up the defensive pressure in the second half, giving the Bulldogs fits even inbounding the ball. 

A French reverse jam off of a Goodwin steal gave SLU a 49-48 lead with 12:22 remaining. But Mississippi State quickly answered on the other lead to grab a lead it would not relinquish.

A Perkins 3-pointer with 6:49 pulled SLU to within one of the lead at 60-59, but the Bulldogs responded with a 6-0 run. 

SLU did not go down quietly. A 5-0 run, including a trey by Goodwin and a tip in by French, pulled SLU to within three late in the game. The Bulldogs hit their free throws down the stretch to post the win.