SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Santa Clara topped Saint Louis in a shootout Monday, 85-78, in the Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

It was the season opener for both squads and the Billiken debut of SLU head coach Josh Schertz.

Isaiah Swope led the Billikens with 24 points, including 19 in the second half alone. He drained five of his six treys in the second session to finish 6-of-14 from deep in the game.

Kellen Thames made his first career start and finished with a career-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. He also gathered seven rebounds.

Robbie Avila chipped in with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. However, he left the game late with an ankle injury and did not return. He will be evaluated further when the team returns to St. Louis.

Gibson Jimerson drained three 3-pointers as part of his 16 points. Kalu Anya led the Bills with 11 rebounds.

The Billikens shot 47.5 percent from the field and drained 12 treys. 

Santa Clara won the battle on the glass 37-35, and the Broncos managed 15 offensive boards. SLU was also hampered by 17 turnovers.

Saint Louis opened up a five-point lead with six minutes left in the first half, but Santa Clara responded to go on top 48-41 at halftime. 

Santa Clara built its lead to nine at 50-41 early in the second half before Swope knocked down three consecutive treys to pull SLU back into the game. 

Jimerson drilled a 3-pointer and SLU was within one, 62-61, with 12:50 remaining, only to see Santa Clara utilize a 11-2 spurt to post its largest lead of the game at 77-65 with 6:14 to go before SLU stormed back. 

The Bills went on a 8-0 run, sparked by a Swope NBA-range 3-pointer, as the Billikens were within four of the lead at 77-73 with a little more than four minutes remaining. Another long step-back 3-pointer by Swope with 2:36 left made one possession game at 81-78.

SLU would not get any closer, however, and Santa Clara drained its free throws late to post the seven-point victory.

Saint Louis is back in action on Sunday when it faces Avila in the home opener at Chaifetz Arena. Game time is 3 p.m.