Brooklyn, NY (Sports Network) - Kwamain Mitchell scored 19 points on a near-
flawless shooting performance, and 16th-ranked Saint Louis captured its first
conference tournament title in 13 years with a 62-56 verdict over No. 25 VCU
in the Atlantic 10 Championship.
Mitchell made good on 7-of-9 field goal attempts -- including 3-of-4 from 3-
point range -- and the Billikens overcame 18 turnovers against the Rams'
trademark pressure with a terrific defensive display of their own.
Saint Louis (27-6) limited VCU to a 33.9 success rate from the floor en route
to securing the A-10's automatic bid, and will enter the NCAA Tournament with
15 victories in its last 16 games during what's been a dramatic season for the
program.
The top-seeded Billikens, who last claimed a league tourney crown while in
Conference USA in 2000, are now 24-3 since Rick Majerus -- the school's head
coach for the previous five seasons -- died on Dec. 1.
Dwayne Evans put up 16 points and eight rebounds to help Saint Louis prevail.
Treveon Graham accumulated 20 points and 12 rebounds for second-seeded VCU
(26-8), with Juvonte Reddic finishing with 15 points and eight boards in
defeat.
The Rams, the nation's leader in steals per game, lost for the first time in
27 outings this season when inducing 15 turnovers or more.
GAME NOTES:
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