PITTSBURGH (AP) — Robbie Avila, Deion Brown and Trae Green scored 14 points apiece and No. 24 St. Louis overcame a late Duquesne rally 81-77 on Tuesday night.
The Billikens (18-1, 6-0 Atlantic 10) extended their winning streak to 12 games despite blowing most of a 17-point lead in the second half. With a win Friday at St. Bonaventure, St. Louis is on track to tie the 1993-94 team for the best start in the program’s 110-year history.
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A day after cracking the AP Top 25 for the first time in five years, the balanced Billikens used a deep bench and relentless pace to fend off Duke (10-9, 2-4).
The only team in the country with six players averaging at least 10 points per game, five players scored in double figures against Duke. Brady Dunlap scored 11 points, including two free throws with 26 seconds left after Duquesne cut the deficit to one.
Jimmie Williams scored a career-high 28 points for Duquesne, but missed a contested 3-pointer on Duquesne’s subsequent possession. Brown grabbed the rebound and made one of two free throws from the free throw line to block the ball.
The Billikens lead the nation in points differential heading into this game (25.2 points) and will have to work hard for this one. St. Louis seemed to be in control with a 19-4 run to start the second half.
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Despite shooting 35 percent (23 points from 66), Duquesne slowly regained its form. Duke forced 16 St. Louis turnovers, including a series on the reverse, that nearly knocked the Billikens out of a tie with George Mason and Dayton in the A-10.
Next
St. Louis: Concludes two games at St. Bonaventure on Friday.
Duquesne: Visit Loyola Chicago on Saturday.
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