No. 25 Saint Louis preps for A-10 tourney run vs. George Mason Saint Louis (27-3, 15-2 Atlantic 10) is set to close its regular season with a crucial matchup against George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia, as both teams prepare for the conference tournament. The Billikens, ranked No. 25 in the nation, have dominated their season series against Loyola Chicago, securing a 79-65 home victory to clinch the No. 1 seed in the upcoming A-10 tournament. The team’s undefeated home record of 19-0 underscores their dominance on their court, while their balanced scoring attack, led by Amari McCottry (10.4 points per game), Kellen Thames (9.9), and Ishan Sharma (9.2), has propelled them to a strong finish. Saint Louis’ bench has been a key factor in their success, averaging 34.1 points per game, with McCottry leading the way in their recent win over Loyola Chicago. The Billikens’ offensive efficiency is highlighted by their nation-leading 41.2% three-point shooting and a 60.9% effective field goal percentage. Their ability to score in transition, racking up 17.6 points per game, further solidifies their status as a versatile and dangerous team. Coach Josh Schertz emphasized the importance of their regular-season performance, calling it a “mark of a team’s greatness” and a stepping stone for a postseason run. George Mason, meanwhile, faces challenges as they aim to secure a spot in the tournament. The Patriots (22-8, 10-7 A-10) have struggled in their final games, going 1-5 in their last six contests. Despite a strong performance from Kory Mincy (18 points) and Riley Allenspach’s double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) in a recent loss to VCU, the team’s inconsistency has left them locked into a fifth-place finish in the conference standings. With a middling conference record, a No. 82 ranking in Wins Above Bubble, and a No.#george_mason #atlantic_10 #saint_louis #kellen_thames #amari_mccottry
