Xavier's 43 Game A-10 Winning Streak Ends As Saint Louis Wins

Xavier has not lost a conference game in five years.  Since Saint Joseph defeated the Musketeers on February 28, 2006, Xavier has won 43 games against Atlantic 10 opponents at the Cintas Center.

The Saint Louis Billikens took a 73-68 victory in Xavier's house.

Building a 14 point lead early in the second half, the Billikens held on, surviving a second half run.  Xavier evened the contest at 50-50 with 10:00 minutes to play but Saint Louis scratched and clawed its way to a win.

"The way we started was disappointing," Xavier guard Tu Holloway said.  "We gave up 41 points in the first half."

Saint Louis senior Brian Conklin led Saint Louis with 19 points, seven from the free throw line.  Conklin has never experienced a win anywhere against the Musketeers but had a feeling that this might be the year.

"To finally get a win over Xavier is fantastic," Conklin said.  "They have been the cream of the crop of the A-10 for so many years."

Indeed Xavier has won the last five A-10 conference titles.  They have suffered their second straight conference loss against Saint Louis and third overall.

"We have been so close before," Conklin said.  "Last year at our place free throws cost us the game but this year we made them when we had to."

Conklin went to the line nine times and hit seven of them.

"The guys did a good job of making foul shots, relatively speaking." Saint Louis coach Rick Majerus said.

Conklin made his teammates aware that Xavier had not lost to a conference team in awhile.

"I told them after the game.  I'm like a cagey veteran. I didn't tell them until after the game."

With Xavier's home crowd getting louder as they closed the gap on the Billikens.  Conklin and his teammates held their composure.

"We knew they would make a huge run.  We had to keep doing what we're do; set ball screens, rebound," Conklin said.  "This is one of my top two places to play.  Their fans love their team and they know when to get loud.  The 43-game streak shows you how good they've been."

Mark Lyons led Xavier (13-7, 4-3 A-10) with 27 points.  Tu Holloway scored 22 and Jeff Robinson 10.

The Billikens (16-4, 4-2 A-10) had four players score in double figures.  Rob Loe was second to Conklin with 14 points. Jordair Jett and Cody Ellis each had 11.