Saint Louis Edges Santa Clara in Nail-Biter
Thursday, November 27, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Acrisure Arena
Saint Louis Billikens 71, Santa Clara Broncos 70, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Santa Clara Broncos vs Saint Louis Billikens?
Saint Louis Billikens beat Santa Clara Broncos 71-70 at Acrisure Arena on November 27, 2025.
Who was favored in Santa Clara Broncos vs Saint Louis Billikens?
Saint Louis Billikens were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling contest at Acrisure Arena, the Saint Louis Billikens narrowly defeated the Santa Clara Broncos with a final score of 71-70. This matchup was particularly compelling as both teams entered the game with strong records, showcasing their competitive spirit and high stakes in this early season clash.
The Billikens came into the game with an impressive home record of 6-0, while the Broncos boasted a solid away record of 6-1. Both teams were in fine form, with Saint Louis on a five-game winning streak, averaging an impressive 95.6 points over their last five games, while allowing 68.6 points. Santa Clara, meanwhile, had also won their last six games, scoring an average of 81.6 points and allowing 63.2 points in their recent stretch.
Historically, this matchup had seen the Billikens struggle against the Broncos, having lost their previous meeting on November 4, 2024, with a score of 78-85. This added an extra layer of intrigue as Saint Louis aimed to turn the tide in their favor.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. This was crucial for maintaining the intensity and competitiveness of the game.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Billikens favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. The odds reflected a close contest, indicating that both teams were expected to perform at a high level.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, culminating in a tense final few minutes. The scoring plays highlighted the drama, with Robbie Avila making a free throw to put Santa Clara ahead 66-65. Kellen Thames responded with a two-point tip shot, briefly giving Saint Louis a 67-66 lead. Christian Hammond then made three consecutive free throws, pushing Santa Clara to a 69-67 advantage. However, Dion Brown's layup tied the game at 69-69 before Allen Graves' free throw gave the Broncos a 70-69 lead. Ultimately, Kellen Thames secured the victory for the Billikens with a layup, sealing the game at 71-70.
The conditions in Acrisure Arena were conducive to a high-energy game, with both teams feeding off the crowd's enthusiasm. Fans witnessed a thrilling display of basketball, characterized by sharp shooting and strategic plays, particularly in the closing moments.
Viewers should note the standout performances from key players, particularly Kellen Thames, who made crucial plays down the stretch, and Christian Hammond, who contributed significantly with his free throw shooting. The intensity of the game and the close scoreline underscored the competitive nature of college basketball, making this fixture a memorable one for both teams and their supporters.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SLU -1.5 | 158.5 o -112 / u -108 | Santa Clara Broncos -105 · Saint Louis Billikens -115 |
Leaders
- PointsTrey Green21Saint Louis Billikens
- AssistsRobbie Avila5Saint Louis Billikens
- ReboundsKellen Thames8Saint Louis Billikens
- PointsElijah Mahi18Santa Clara Broncos
- AssistsJake Ensminger3Santa Clara Broncos
- ReboundsElijah Mahi7Santa Clara Broncos
Recent form
Saint Louis Billikens
Last 10: 8-2Streak W588 scored · 72 allowed per game8-0 at home
- W91-60vs Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsNov 22
- W78-64vs Grand Canyon LopesNov 16
- W109-66vs Lindenwood LionsNov 11
- W108-86vs Chicago State CougarsNov 7
- W92-67vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksNov 4
- L64-72at Loyola Chicago RamblersMar 14
- W83-75vs Davidson WildcatsMar 13
- W90-88vs Duquesne DukesMar 9
- L67-75at Dayton FlyersMar 5
- W98-67vs Loyola Chicago RamblersMar 1
Santa Clara Broncos
Last 10: 8-2Streak W684.9 scored · 68.7 allowed per game3-0 away
- W80-43vs Louisiana Ragin' CajunsNov 22
- W64-55vs Idaho State BengalsNov 19
- W98-83vs Nevada Wolf PackNov 16
- W87-68at Xavier MusketeersNov 11
- W79-67vs McNeese CowboysNov 8
- W83-53vs Cal Poly Humboldt LumberjacksNov 5
- L76-78vs Pepperdine WavesMar 10
- W97-66at Pacific TigersMar 2
- L76-95vs Gonzaga BulldogsFeb 26
- W109-79at Washington State CougarsFeb 22
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 31-4 | - | 16-2 |
| Saint Mary's | 27-6 | - | 16-2 |
| Santa Clara | 26-9 | 1 | 15-3 |
| Oregon State | 17-16 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Seattle U | 21-14 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Pacific | 18-15 | 8 | 8-10 |
| San Francisco | 17-16 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Washington State | 12-20 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Loyola Marymount | 15-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Portland | 15-19 | 10 | 6-12 |
| San Diego | 12-21 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Pepperdine | 9-23 | 12 | 4-14 |
| Saint Louis | 29-6 | - | 15-3 |
| VCU | 28-8 | - | 15-3 |
| Saint Joseph's | 24-12 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Dayton | 25-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| George Mason | 23-10 | 4 | 11-7 |
| Davidson | 20-14 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Duquesne | 18-15 | 6 | 9-9 |
| George Washington | 19-16 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fordham | 17-15 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Rhode Island | 16-16 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Richmond | 15-17 | 10 | 5-13 |
| La Salle | 9-23 | 10 | 5-13 |
| St. Bonaventure | 17-17 | 11 | 4-14 |
| Loyola Chicago | 9-24 | 11 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Santa Clara Broncos | Saint Louis Billikens |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-62 | 26-59 |
| Field goal % | 37 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 6-25 | 7-27 |
| Three-point % | 24 | 26 |
| Free throws | 18-22 | 12-19 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 63 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 27 |
| Assists | 10 | 15 |
| Steals | 7 | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 38 |
| Fouls | 18 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 3 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half44-40Trey Green made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Paul Otieno.
- 2nd Half46-40Allen Graves made Layup.
- 2nd Half47-40Allen Graves made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half47-41Robbie Avila made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half47-42Robbie Avila made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half47-44Paul Otieno made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half48-44Thierry Darlan made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half48-46Dion Brown made Layup. Assisted by Kellen Thames.
- 2nd Half48-48Amari McCottry made Layup.
- 2nd Half49-48Christian Hammond made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half49-49Kellen Thames made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half49-51Kellen Thames made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half50-51Jake Ensminger made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-51Jake Ensminger made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-53Dion Brown made Jumper.
- 2nd Half53-53Elijah Mahi made Layup.
- 2nd Half54-53Brenton Knapper made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half55-53Brenton Knapper made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half55-55Dion Brown made Jumper.
- 2nd Half56-55Elijah Mahi made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-55Elijah Mahi made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-58Trey Green made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half59-58Elijah Mahi made Jumper.
- 2nd Half59-59Dion Brown made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half59-60Dion Brown made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half59-61Dion Brown made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-61Allen Graves made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Brenton Knapper.
- 2nd Half63-61Elijah Mahi made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-61Elijah Mahi made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-64Robbie Avila made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Dion Brown.
- 2nd Half65-64Christian Hammond made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-64Christian Hammond made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-65Robbie Avila made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-67Kellen Thames made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half67-67Christian Hammond made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-67Christian Hammond made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-67Christian Hammond made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-69Dion Brown made Layup. Assisted by Robbie Avila.
- 2nd Half70-69Allen Graves made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-71Kellen Thames made Layup.
Win probability
Above the line favours Saint Louis Billikens, below favours Santa Clara Broncos.
Venue
- Acrisure ArenaPalm Springs, CA
- OfficialsWilson Holland, John Hampton, Jason Garretson
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond