St. Louis University almost finished the comeback but could not get totally overcome a 22-point first-half hole and fell to Illinois State 81-77 on Sunday at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Illinois.

SLU got as close as two points in the final minute but never had the ball with a chance to retake the lead.

Robbie Avila played much of the second half with four fouls and finished with 28 points, never fouling out, while Isaiah Swope, who also had a slow start, finished with 22 points before fouling out.

As always, SLU’s personnel situation stood out. Freshman Dylan Warlick, who had planned on redshirting this season, was pressed into service, entering the game in the first half. He played six minutes as he looks to jump-start his season and make an impact for the depleted Billikens.

Kellen Thames, who has battled cramps and added a hip injury to it, didn’t start and came out of the game for good with 7:57 to go in the second half when he appeared to cramp up again as Johnny Kinzinger drove past him for a layup as Thames fell to the court under the basket and stayed down for a while, needing treatment before being helped off the court. Thames, who had gotten through the Chicago State game without any issues, played 10 minutes and scored no points.

Kilian Brockhoff, who hasn’t played much lately, saw nine minutes of action, and he and Warlkick crowded out Max Pikaar, who saw only one minute of action.

SLU cut Illinois State’s lead to 75-70 with 2:44 to go on a 3-pointer by Avila, and Illinois State called timeout. An Illinois State air ball went straight into the hands of ISU’s Chase Walker, who scored to take the lead back to seven, but Avila responded with a 3 to cut the lead to four with 1:50 to play. SLU’s defense held, but Avila missed a shot underneath with a minute to go. After a missed free throw by ISU, Gibson Jimerson scored on a lay-up with 37.8 seconds to play. 

SLU hoped its defense would hold, but Kalu Anya was called for a foul with eight seconds on the shot click. Johnny Kinziger made two free throws with 15.7 seconds to play to push the lead back to four. Jimerson was fouled on the inbound play and made two free throws with 12.3 seconds to go to make it 79-77. Two free throws by Dalton Banks of ISU sealed the win.

The first half started disastrously for SLU, trailing by as many as 22 points. SLU missed 12 of its first 16 shots, while Illinois State made 12 of its first 16 shots. Swope missed his first five shots (including three 3s) before scoring, going more than 13 minutes without his first points. That first basket, though, set off a run for SLU as it closed the margin to 12 points at 43-31.

Schertz tried everything and just about everyone in the first half. Warlick got his first playing time of the season, and Brockhoff got some rare playing time. Warlick had one point in the first half, and Brockhoff had three and played six minutes, more than he had in any game except the blowout over NAIA Avila University.

AJ Casey, coming off an ankle injury, was the lone scholarship player who was in uniform who didn’t see action. Kobe Johnson, who missed the Chicago State game with an illness, started in Thames’ spot.