Saint Louis delivered a decisive performance in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Georgia 102-77 behind an efficient offensive showing and consistent defensive pressure. Dion Brown led the way with 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting, all coming at the rim, as the Billikens controlled the tempo early and never allowed the Bulldogs to settle in. Saint Louis shot 58 percent from the field and held Georgia to 35 percent, creating a gap that steadily widened throughout the night.
The turning point came late in the first half when the Billikens went on a 23-0 run that stretched into the second half. During that stretch, Saint Louis repeatedly attacked the paint, scoring 66 points inside and converting 11 straight baskets at the rim. Amari McCottry added 13 points and nine rebounds, while Robbie Avila contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists, helping fuel a balanced effort that overwhelmed Georgia on both ends of the floor.
With the win, Saint Louis improved to 29-5, setting a program record for victories in a season and earning its first NCAA Tournament win since 2014. Georgia was led by Jeremiah Wilkinson’s 30 points but could not recover from the extended scoring drought. The Billikens now advance to face top-seeded Michigan, looking to carry the same level of execution into the next round.
