Saint Louis pulled off a thrilling 108-86 win over Chicago State on Thursday night, showing off their basketball chops in style. The Billikens are now 2-0, and a lot of that has to do with Ishan Sharma, who came off the bench to drop 16 points.
Sharma’s spark, plus solid games from Robbie Avila, Kellen Thames, and Quentin Jones, locked in the victory. Chicago State, now sitting at 0-2, saw Dailliss Cox put up a strong 19 points and snag eight rebounds.
The game was packed with big moments and some pretty sharp strategic moves from Saint Louis. They jumped ahead early and, honestly, never let Chicago State get close again.
Sharma’s Stellar Performance
Ishan Sharma really stole the show for Saint Louis, coming off the bench and sinking five of his eight three-point shots. Sixteen points, mostly from deep, is no small feat for a non-starter.
His readiness to step in and make a difference says a lot about his growth and confidence. Sharma’s quickly becoming a name to watch for the Billikens.
Impactful Bench Contribution
Bench players can swing a game, and Sharma did just that. His hot shooting gave Saint Louis the extra push they needed to stay ahead.
It’s not every night you see a sub come in and light it up like that, but Sharma made it look easy. Having a reliable bench presence is a huge asset in tight matchups.
Team Effort and Key Players
It wasn’t just Sharma, though. Robbie Avila and Kellen Thames each chipped in 15 points, showing they’ve got the scoring touch too.
Thames got things rolling early, putting up 11 points in the first half to help Saint Louis build a cushion. Quentin Jones added 14, with most of his buckets coming after halftime.
Offensive Strategy
Saint Louis spread the ball around, and it paid off. With several players hitting double figures, they kept Chicago State guessing.
That kind of balance makes it tough for opponents to lock in on any one guy. It’s the kind of offense that can take a team pretty far if they keep it up.
Chicago State’s Resilient Effort
Chicago State didn’t just roll over. Dailliss Cox was a force, leading with 19 points and eight boards.
Stephen Byard and Marcus Tankersley also stepped up, each dropping 15 points. The Cougars showed some grit, even if the final score didn’t swing their way.
Defensive Challenges
Defense was a struggle for Chicago State. They put up points, sure, but couldn’t slow down the Billikens enough to close the gap.
That defensive hole gave Saint Louis room to operate and keep their lead safe. If Chicago State wants to flip the script, tightening up on D is a must.
Game Dynamics and Turning Points
There were a few moments that really set the tone. Saint Louis grabbed the lead with just under twelve minutes left in the first half and held onto it for dear life.
That early surge gave them the confidence to control the rest of the game. It’s hard to chase down a team that’s playing loose and ahead.
Early Lead and Momentum
Getting out in front early can change everything. For Saint Louis, it meant they could dictate the tempo and keep Chicago State on their heels.
Momentum is a funny thing—once you’ve got it, it’s tough for the other team to snatch it back. Quentin Jones made sure they didn’t lose their edge after halftime.
Second Half Performance
Both teams kept scrapping in the second half, but Saint Louis just wouldn’t let up. Jones, especially, kept the Billikens rolling with his second-half scoring burst.
Looking Ahead
There’s plenty to take away from this one, both good and bad. Saint Louis will want to ride this wave and keep improving as the season moves along.
For Chicago State, it’s about shoring up their defense and making better use of their offensive weapons. The pieces are there—they just need to fit together a bit tighter.
Future Prospects for Saint Louis
Saint Louis is off to a strong start, no question. If Sharma, Avila, Thames, and Jones keep up this level of play, the Billikens could make some real noise.
Consistency is the name of the game. They’ve got the tools, but can they keep it going? That’s the big question as the season unfolds.
Chicago State’s Path Forward
Chicago State hasn’t had the best run lately, but there’s still a spark there. Dailliss Cox, Stephen Byard, and Marcus Tankersley have each shown flashes of real talent.
Defense is a headache, honestly. If they can tighten that up and keep leaning into what works on offense, maybe that first win isn’t so far off.
If you want to dig deeper into the game, check out the full article at Fox Sports.
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