RICHMOND, Va. – Saint Louis redshirt junior Kellen Thames set a career high with 18 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double as the Billikens knocked off VCU, 71-62, Wednesday night in Richmond, Va.  

It was the first win for the Billikens (14-1, 2-0 Atlantic 10) in 11 trips to the Siegel Center. SLU also continues its best start to a season since 1993-94. VCU falls to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in the league.

Thames was 7-of-10 from the field to account for his 18 points. He also dished out three assists. Dion Brown scored in double figures with 10 points. 

All players contributed for Saint Louis, which played nine players 19 or more minutes. Robbie Avila and Paul Otieno scored all of their eight points in the second half. Quentin Jones added nine points for the Billikens.

SLU, which came into the game ranking second nationally in field-goal percentage defense, held VCU to just 28.6 percent shooting from the field.

The Billikens led by as many 14 points at one point midway through the second half, but VCU stormed back to take a late lead at 62-61 with 2:30 left.

With the sold-out Siegel Center crowd on its feet and all the momentum on VCU's side, Amari McCottry nailed a clutch 3-pointer to give the lead back to SLU, sparking a 10-0 run to end the game and seal the victory for SLU. 

Neither team shot it particularly well in the opening half, but a late 11-0 run by the Billikens helped send SLU into halftime leading 30-22. Kellen Thames hit three big baskets during the run.

Defensively, the Billikens held VCU to .289 shooting (7-34) in the opening half alone.

The Billikens are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 10, when they take on La Salle in Philadelphia. Game time on USA Network is 3 p.m. (CT).