Saint Louis fought off in-state rival Mizzou on Friday, taking the Show Me Showdown 90-84, a statement win that flat-out proved they’re not just some flash in the pan. This team, coached by Josh Schertz, came into this game with the pressure on, facing what might have been their biggest test of the season, and they did not flinch. After last year’s ridiculous 24-1 start and an NCAA Tournament victory, the big question was if they could keep that fire going. They answered that with a resounding YES.
The “Atlantic-10 Splash Bros” Set the Tone Early
From the jump, Saint Louis was ready to play. Mizzou snagged an early 3-0 lead, but then it was game on. Ishan Sharma, one of the “Atlantic-10 Splash Bros”, drilled a three-pointer that turned into a four-point play. Before Mizzou’s head coach Dennis Gates could even call a timeout to stop the bleeding, Trey Green, the other “Splash Bro”, sunk another three. Just like that, Saint Louis was up by eight. Schertz said it best, “In these games, you got to believe you belong. You can’t look at yourself as some sort of ‘lesser than.’” And believe they did. They went into halftime shooting nearly 57% from the field and an incredible 56% from deep. Mizzou forward Bryson Tiller even noticed it, saying Sharma, Green, and Michaeli “can really spread the floor” and Michaeli “can really drive it.” When you’ve got opponents talking about your offense like that, you know you’re doing something right.
Defense Clamps Down, Michaeli Closes It Out
Even with that hot start, Mizzou wasn’t going to roll over. They pushed hard in the second half, but Saint Louis stood firm. When it really mattered in the final two minutes, Alon Michaeli stepped up huge, sinking crucial baskets and free throws to seal the deal. Schertz called out Michaeli’s clutch performance, saying his “scoring down the stretch was huge for us.” But let’s talk about the defense. Mizzou’s five-star freshman Jason Crowe Jr. was supposed to be a problem, right? Well, Quentin Jones had other plans. Jones locked him down, holding the hyped-up freshman to a brutal 3-for-18 from the field. That’s a defensive masterclass, plain and simple. Schertz even argued that Jones might be the best individual defender on a team that already has Amari McCottry and Kellen Thames on the All-Defensive team. That’s a huge compliment and a massive performance when it counted most.
As the final buzzer sounded, you could feel the relief and excitement. Trey Green and Ishan Sharma apparently had this Mizzou game circled all summer. And they delivered. Even without Robbie Avila, who the College Sports Commission barred from playing, Saint Louis proved they’re not a one-year wonder. They’re a legit force against high-major talent. Schertz summed it up perfectly: “The best way to get what you want in your life is to deserve what you want in your life.” And Saint Louis absolutely earned this one. They’re making a statement early in the season, and the rest of the league needs to take notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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