Saint Louis Billikens Mike McCall, Jr. dribbles past Massachusetts Minutemen Raphiael Putney in the first half at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis on January 10, 2013.    UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Billikens Mike McCall, Jr. dribbles past Massachusetts Minutemen Raphiael Putney in the first half at the Chaifetz Arena. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Rob Loe scored a career-high 20 points to lead four Saint Louis players in double figures, as the Billikens outscored Massachusetts 20-8 over the final 9:14 for a 70-62 victory Thursday night at Chaifetz Arena is the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both teams. The victory was SLU’s ninth in a row and capped a 9-0 home stand for the Billikens (12-3, 1-0). It’s the first nine-game winning streak for Saint Louis since the 1993-94 Bills began the season 14-0.

Loe tied his career high with six field goals (6-of-10), including a 2-of-4 effort from 3-point range, and also posted career highs of six free throws and seven free-throw attempts.

Jordair Jett scored 15 points, while Mike McCall Jr. and Kwamain Mitchell tallied 10 each. Cory Remekun collected nine rebounds to power the Billikens to a 38-35 edge on the glass. Loe had a season-high seven rebounds, while Dwayne Evans and Cody Ellis grabbed six boards apiece.

Loe, Jett, McCall Jr. and Mitchell combined to shoot 20-of-32 (.625) from the floor.