WASHINGTON, D.C. – Francis Okoro andÂ
Fred Thatch Jr. posted double-doubles, andÂ
Gibson Jimerson scored a game-high 19 points as Saint Louis rolled to a 71-51 victory over La Salle Thursday in a second-round matchup at the Atlantic 10 Conference Men's Basketball Championship at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The fifth-seeded Billikens (22-10) advance to the quarterfinals, where they face No. 4 St. Bonaventure Friday at 1:30 p.m. (CT). That game will be televised on USA Network and carried on KMOX.
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Okoro finished with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. He shot 8-11 from the floor and blocked a pair of shots as well. Thatch went for 10 points and 11 rebounds for this fourth double-double, and he led the Billikens with four assists.
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Jimerson connected on three treys as part of his 19 points. He surpassed H Waldman for fourth in school history in 3-point field goals in a season with his 74th triple of the season.
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Yuri Collins also scored in double figures for the Billikens, who shot 44.3 percent from the field.
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The Billikens were staunch defensively, allowing the Explorers (11-19) to shoot just 31.5 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from 3-point range. La Salle was held to just 16 points in the first half. Saint Louis won the battle on the glass as well, 48-33.
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The teams traded baskets early on. With the score tied 11-11, the Billikens went on an 8-0 run to grab the lead and they never looked back.
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SLU grew its lead to 18 at halftime and led by as many as 33 midway through the second half to earn a trip into the quarterfinals for the fourth straight A-10 Championship.
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The Bonnies and Billikens have already met twice this year, with St. Bonaventure winning both matchups.
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