UW blows lead, loses to Billikens

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS – With 41 relatives in attendance, including three sisters who sang the national anthem, Ross Varner made his family proud. He hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to lift Saint Louis to a 71-70 victory over Washington on Saturday night.

“Coach just told me to stay behind the 3-point line,” Varner said. “My guy left me and Marque (Perry) found me. My feet were set. This by far was my biggest shot. It was awesome. It’s my favorite shot. I hope there’s more.”

Varner did about everything possible for Saint Louis but join his sisters – Tiffany, Kristin and Becky – in singing before the game.

“You know, I used to sing with them when I was younger,” he said. “But I’m too involved with basketball and my voice … The three of them sound great together and I don’t want to mess any of that up.”

Varner, who played just two minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, finished with 12 points in 17 minutes of playing time for the Billikens (6-6), who trailed by as much as 13 points at one time in the second half. Saint Louis was led by Perry’s 20 points.

Curtis Allen and Doug Wrenn each scored 17 points for the Huskies (6-6).

“It was an exciting game but unfortunately the excitement at the end wasn’t the kind that we wanted,” Washington coach Bob Bender said.

It was the fourth consecutive home victory for Saint Louis, winner of four of its last five games. It was Washington’s fourth consecutive loss. The game was Washington’s first in St. Louis since Dec. 23, 1957, when the Billikens won 89-63.

At home, the Billikens hold a 4-1 advantage over the Huskies. Overall, Saint Louis leads the series 7-6.

“This was our biggest win of the year for a number of reasons,” said Saint Louis coach Lorenzo Romar, who graduated and played for Washington. “We didn’t play particularly well but we came up with the victory. Sometimes victories like this can turn an entire season around.

“Our guys sucked it up. They were not to be denied. You’ve got to win those to know you can win those.”

Two baskets by Wrenn, who was poked in the right eye by an elbow in the first half and sat out more than five minutes, gave Washington a 68-67 lead but Perry hit one of two free throws to tie the game 68-68 with 2:07 left.

Wrenn canned a field goal with 27 seconds left, giving Washington its last lead at 70-68.

“I’m a pirate,” Wrenn said. “I can’t see out of my right eye. Coach said just close your eye so I did. It kind of worked out. I just tried to shake it off and play through it.”

Trailing 61-52, Saint Louis began to press and created two quick turnovers.

“The press was the difference in the game,” Romar said. “I was concerned because it looked like we couldn’t muster enough energy up.”

The Billikens ran off 13 unanswered points to take a 65-63 lead with 4:05 remaining. Jason Edwin hit two 3-pointers and Perry sank four free throws to fuel the rally.