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Billikens Drop 65-54 Decision to Iowa State

November 28, 2009 By

Despite a career-high 18 points by Brian Conklin and a double-double by Willie Reed, the Saint Louis Billikens fell 65-54 to Iowa State in the Chicago Invitational Challenge at UIC Pavilion on Friday afternoon. The loss snaps SLU’s four-game winning streak.

The Billikens took an early 5-3 lead on Brian Conklin’s layup off a feed from Justin Jordan at the 17:16 mark. ISU’s Craig Brackins answered with a 3-pointer, but a layup by Justin Jordan put SLU back on top. The teams traded the lead, and Cory Remekun’s soaring dunk at the 8:32 mark pushed the Billikens to a 17-16 advantage. The Cyclones edged out to a 28-23 margin but consecutive layups by Conklin brought the Billikens to 28-27. The Cyclones scored in the final minute to take a 30-27 lead at the break. The Billiken inside game carried the scoring load as SLU scored 24 of its 27 points in the paint.

The Billikens scored the first four points of the second half on hoops from Christian Salecich and Conklin for a 31-30 lead. However, ISU answered with 13 straight points to surge to a 43-31 lead seven minutes into the second half. Femi John finally scored in traffic to break the SLU drought. Willie Reed’s dunk in transition cut the Billiken gap to single figures at 43-35 with 12 minutes to play. ISU used a 12-2 run to rebuild a 54-37 lead.

Conklin scored five points during a 6-0 SLU burst to closed the 54-43 at the 5:29 mark. The ISU lead was 58-45 before the Billikens made another push. Reed threw down another dunk and sank two free throws as SLU inched to nine at 58-49 with just under two minutes left. Kwamain Mitchell hit a 3-pointer as the Billikens got as close at 60-52 at the 1:13 mark, but the Cyclones hit five of six free throws in the final minute to blunt the Billiken rally.

Conklin hit 8-of-10 shots to tie his career high with 18 points. Reed added 14 points and hauled down a career-best 13 rebounds. The Billikens held the Cyclones to just 37.9 percent shooting and out-rebounded ISU by one. However, the Cyclones hit five more 3-pointers

The Billikens are now 4-1 on the season, while the Cyclones improve to 6-0. The Billikens will play the Notre Dame game at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Filed Under: Sports

Retailers and shoppers bracing for Black Friday sales

November 26, 2009 By

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday – traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. And retailers throughout the country are gearing up for a busy day at the cash registers.

“We expect roughly 134 million people are going to be shopping this Friday,” said Missouri Retailers Association President David Overfelt in an interview with the Missourinet. “There’s going to be a number of bargains.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy

Local census groups forming

November 26, 2009 By

Dozens of local groups are being formed to make sure nobody is missed in next year’s census. Some of the groups will help specific populations. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest, Miscellaneous

Missouri food banks see dramatic increase in demand

November 26, 2009 By

Hunger appears to be on the rise in Missouri.

Missouri food banks are experiencing dramatically increased need and are asking Missourians to help restock their shelves. The Missouri Food Bank Association, representing the state’s six large food banks, reports increased demand this year of between 20% and 44%. Association spokesman Scott Baker says some surveys ranked Missouri 5th among the states in hunger prior to 2009.

“What we’re seeing in 2009 is this increase of anywhere from 20-to-44%,” Baker says. “So, on top of the dire numbers that we’ve seen so far, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand this year.”

A Food and Research Action Center survey found that six percent of our population reported often going hungry, ranking Missouri 6th among the states in citizens struggling to afford enough to eat. Baker says many Missourians find that hard to believe, since Missouri ranks as one of the top farm states.

Baker says the food banks fear high unemployment and a lingering recession will only make matters worse. The association asks that Missourians respond.

“Understanding and acknowledging the serious problem that Missourians have and then finding any way possible you can to help out those who are on the front lines trying to feed Missourians,” according to Baker.

Baker says it appears hunger has no geographic boundary, affecting rural and urban Missouri alike.

Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

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Filed Under: Human Interest

Show Me Bowl 2009 Schedule

November 26, 2009 By

The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Friday, November 27

9:30 a.m. – 8-Man Championship Game — St. Joseph Christian vs. Mound City
1 p.m. – Class 2 Championship Game — Brentwood vs. Maryville
4:15 p.m. – Class 4 Championship Game — Helias vs. Kearney
7:30 p.m. – Class 6 Championship Game — Hazelwood Central vs. Blue Springs

Saturday, November 28
12 p.m. – Class 1 Championship Game — Valle Catholic vs. Penney
3:15 p.m. – Class 3 Championship Game — Bowling Green vs. Cassville
6:30 p.m. – Class 5 Championship Game — Webster Groves vs. Fort Osage

Filed Under: Sports
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