Boxscore

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (0-1; 0-0 WAC) were beaten on the opening day of the 2006 Shelby Metcalf Classic by the Saint Louis Billikens (2-0; 0-0 A-10) 87-65 in Reed Arena on the campus of Texas A&M.

?As far as what we?re trying to do, it?s a start,? Tech head coach Keith Richard said. ?This is going to get better game to game. We need good plays to happen at the right time for us. In the first half, we scored a little bit, and then lost our nerve.?

The ballgame remained close for much of the first half before the Billikens went on a 13-3 run to take a 43-32 lead into the halftime locker room. Senior Marcus Elliot finished the first half with seven points, while seniors Chad McKenzie and Terry Parker both had six.

The Billikens then extended their lead with a 12-0 run to start the second half to lead the Bulldogs 55-32 before senior Terry Parker, Jr., drained a jumper to cut the lead to 55-34. St. Louis kept the lead at a good distance, and the closest the Bulldogs would get would be 14 in the second half with 7:12 left to play.

?We didn?t guard as well as we needed to,? Richard said. ?When we tried to double team in the post, they would kick it out and knock down a three. This was a very good team we played tonight.?

The Bulldogs shot 40 percent from the field on the night. Parker and freshman Kyle Gibson led Tech?s scoring with 11 points apiece.

?I was very happy with the way Terry (Parker) and Kyle (Gibson) played,? Richard said. ?I think both those guys showed tonight that they need to be out there more.?

Tech returns to action Saturday night at 7 p.m. against No. 12 Texas A&M.