Kyle Cassity and Kwamain Mitchell combined to score 18 points in two overtime periods to help the Saint Louis Billikens to a thrilling 79-75 victory at Duquesne Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. The win, SLU’s fourth straight in overtime, gives the Billikens a 2-0 record in Atlantic 10 Conference play for the first time since joining the league five seasons ago. SLU is 11-5 overall.
In the second overtime, Willie Reed scored on a dunk to boost the Billikens to a quick lead. After a Dukes turnover, Cassity hit a three and a Cody Ellis jumper from the wing pushed SLU to a 67-60 lead to open the second OT. Duquesne scored four straight to rally, but Ellis had a tip follow to stem the Dukes’ momentum. Kwamain Mitchell scored on a drive, and two Ellis free throws handed the Billikens a 73-64 lead with over one minute left to play. Aided by a four-point play, the Dukes closed the gap to four. Christian Salecich hit one free throw, but the Dukes inched closer on a layup by Damian Saunders to get to 76-73 with 22 seconds left. Mitchell sank two free throws with 19 ticks left, but Saunders answered with another inside hoop to draw Duquesne to 78-75. Mitchell sank one free throw to seal the victory.