St. Louis sets record for futility

St. Louis set a modern Division I record for fewest points in a game, losing 49-20 to George Washington in the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both teams at Washington.

The Billikens (9-6), playing their first season under Coach Rick Majerus, missed 23 consecutive shots at one point and finished seven for 48 (14.6%) from the field. They trailed 25-7 at halftime.

The previous low since the shot clock was introduced in 1985-86 was 21 by Georgia Southern in a 61-21 loss to Coastal Carolina in 1997. It was matched by Princeton in a 41-21 loss to Monmouth in 2005.

The fewest points ever by a Division I team was set by Arkansas State in a 75-6 loss to Kentucky in 1945. It was matched by Temple in an 11-6 loss to Tennessee in 1973.

“It’s like being a step-parent. I didn’t pick them. They didn’t pick me,” Majerus said of the players, who were recruited by former coach Brad Soderberg. “They are trying hard. The effort is good. If it wasn’t I would say it publicly.”

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Southern Mississippi Coach Larry Eustachy will coach the Golden Eagles against Tulane on Saturday. Eustachy left the team Tuesday to be with his ailing mother in California. . . . Oklahoma forward Keith Clark will miss the rest of the season after becoming academically ineligible.