If you’re looking for a quick st louis basketball score right now, you probably want to know if the Billikens just blew another team out of the water. Honestly, it’s becoming a bit of a pattern. As of January 18, 2026, the Saint Louis University (SLU) men's team is essentially a buzzsaw.
Yesterday, January 17, they absolutely dismantled Richmond with a final of 88-63. Chaifetz Arena was loud. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. This team is now 17-1. That is not a typo. They are 5-0 in the Atlantic 10, and they are playing some of the most efficient basketball this city has seen since the Majerus era.
But it’s not just the men. The women’s team also just wrapped up a gritty battle against Dayton earlier today, January 18, pulling off a tight 62-58 victory. If you were following the live updates, that one was a bit of a nail-biter compared to the men’s blowout.
Why the Recent St Louis Basketball Score Numbers Are Historically Weird
Most people see a score like 88-63 and think, "Okay, good offense." But what's actually happening at SLU right now is deeper. They are leading the entire nation in scoring margin, sitting at a massive $+25.2$. That basically means they aren't just winning; they are embarrassing people.
Take the Fordham game on January 14. Final score: 78-56.
The Richmond game yesterday: 88-63.
The La Salle game on January 10: 84-72.
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The consistency is wild. Usually, teams have an "off" night where they shoot 20% from three and scrape by with a two-point win. Not this group. They are currently shooting nearly 39% from beyond the arc as a team. When you combine that with a defense that is ranked second in the NCAA for field goal percentage defense (holding opponents to roughly .357), you get these lopsided scores that make the Atlantic 10 look like a middle school JV league.
The "Other" Scores in Town: Mizzou and UMSL
St. Louis basketball isn't a one-team town, though SLU is hogging the headlines. Over at the Enterprise Center back in December, the Mizzou vs. Illinois "Braggin’ Rights" game was a bit of a disaster for the local fans—Mizzou got hammered 91-48. However, the Tigers have bounced back a bit in SEC play. Most recently, on January 17, Mizzou dropped a close one to LSU, 78-70.
If you're following the Division II scene, the UMSL Tritons are also in the thick of it. They just beat Lincoln 78-64 on January 17. It's a good time to be a hoops fan in the 314, provided you aren't rooting for the visitors.
St Louis Basketball Score: Breaking Down the Billikens 10-Game Streak
The current 10-game winning streak is the longest the Billikens have put together in over a decade. The last time they looked this untouchable was the 2013-14 season when they rattled off 19 straight.
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What’s the secret? It’s the depth. In the Richmond game, it wasn't just one guy. They had four players in double digits. They moved the ball. They didn't settle.
Recent SLU Men's Results (January 2026)
- Jan 17: SLU 88, Richmond 63
- Jan 14: SLU 78, Fordham 56
- Jan 10: SLU 84, La Salle 72
- Jan 7: SLU 71, VCU 62
The VCU game was probably the biggest test. VCU is always a defensive nightmare, and playing them in Richmond is never fun. SLU was actually a 2.5-point underdog in that game. They walked out with a nine-point win. That was the moment most local analysts stopped saying "maybe they're good" and started saying "they might be a protected seed in March."
Misconceptions About the Chaifetz Home Court Advantage
There is a common belief that SLU only wins because of the "Chaifetz Magic." While it’s true they’ve won 15 straight at home, look at those road scores. Winning by 12 at La Salle and 9 at VCU proves this isn't just a result of friendly rims and a loud student section.
The defense travels. In the Fordham game, even though SLU actually got outrebounded for the first time all season (37-36), they still won by 22. Why? Because they forced Fordham into a miserable 31.3% shooting night. You don't need to win the boards if the other team can't hit the broad side of a barn.
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A Quick Look at the Women’s Momentum
The SLU women’s team is finding their stride too. Their 66-57 win over La Salle on January 14 showed a lot of late-game composure. Today's win against Dayton (62-58) was even more impressive because Dayton really tried to slow the pace down.
- Defense: They held Dayton to just 4 points in the third quarter.
- Clutch Free Throws: They iced the game in the final 30 seconds.
- Balance: They didn't rely on a single star; the bench contributed 15 crucial points.
What to Watch for Next
If you're tracking the st louis basketball score for upcoming games, the schedule is about to get significantly harder. The men head out on a two-game road trip to Duquesne (Jan 20) and St. Bonaventure (Jan 23).
Duquesne is always a "trap" game. The scores there tend to be low, ugly, and physical. If SLU comes out of that road trip 2-0, they will almost certainly break into the AP Top 25. They are currently the first team in the "Receiving Votes" category, essentially ranked 26th.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the NET Rankings: SLU is currently 22nd in the NCAA NET rankings. This is a much better indicator of their tournament chances than the AP Poll.
- Watch the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the rotation for the Duquesne game; playing three games in six days is where the "scoring margin" usually starts to shrink due to fatigue.
- Get Tickets Early: Chaifetz is selling out fast for the Dayton game on January 30. That's the one everyone in the city has circled.
Keep an eye on the Jan 20 score from Pittsburgh. It'll tell us if this SLU team is just "Atlantic 10 good" or "Second Weekend of the Tournament good."